John Godfrey Saxe Quotes

A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But she was rich, and he was poor, And so it might not be.

The Poet's License! — 't is the right, Within the rule of duty, To look on all delightful things Throughout the world of beauty. <p> To gaze with rapture at the stars That in the skies are glowing; To see the gems of perfect dye That in the woods are growing, — And more than sage astronomer, And more than learned florist, To read the glorious homilies Of Firmament and Forest.

Give me kisses! Nay, 'tis true
I am just as rich as you;
And for every kiss I owe,
I can pay you back, you know.
Kiss me, then,
Every moment, and again.

Tis well to borrow from the good and the great; 'Tis wise to learn: 'tis God-like to create!

Bless me! this is pleasant
Riding on the Rail.

"God bless the man who first invented sleep!"
So Sancho Panza said, and so say I.

Don't use strong drink, — pray let me advise, — It 's bad for the stomach, and ruins the eyes;

He takes the strangest liberties — But never takes his leave!

At Learning's fountain it is sweet to drink,
But 'tis a nobler privilege to think.

NAY, weep not, dearest, though the child be dead;
He lives again in Heaven's unclouded life,

I'm growing fonder of my staff;
I'm growing dimmer in my eyes;
I'm growing fainter in my laugh;
I'm growing deeper in my sighs;
I'm growing careless of my dress;
I'm growing frugal of my gold;
I'm growing wise; I'm growing — yes, — I'm growing old.

INGLORIOUS friend! most confident I am
Thy life is one of very little ease;
Albeit men mock thee with their similes
And prate of being "happy as a clam!"

I love vast libraries; yet there is a doubt,
If one be better with them or without,
Unless he use them wisely, and, indeed,
Knows the high art of what and how to read.

A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But he was high and she was low, And so it might not be.

I asked of Echo 't other day
(Whose words are few and often funny),
What to a novice she could say Of courtship, love, and matrimony. Quoth Echo, plainly, — "Matter-o'-money."