Alfred Austin Quotes

Friendship craves
The commerce of the mind, not the exchange
Of emulous feasts that foster sycophants.

Let your house
Be spacious more than splendid, and be books
And busts your most conspicuous furniture.

And Clara dies that Claribel may dance.

Lo, where huge London, huger day by day,
O'er six fair counties spreads its hideous sway.

Then, without toil, by vale and mountain side,
Men found their few and simple wants supplied;
Plenty, like dew, dropped subtle from the air,
And Earth's fair gifts rose prodigal as prayer.
Love, with no charms except its own to lure,
Was swiftly answered by a love as pure.
No need for wealth; each glittering fruit and flower,
Each star, each streamlet, made the maiden's dower.