Thomas Gray Quotes

T'was Spring, t'was Summer, all was gay Now Autumn bears a cloud brow The flowers of Spring are swept way And Summer fruits desert the bough

Ignorance is bliss.

Not all that tempts your wandering eyes And heedless hearts, is lawful prize; Nor all that glisters gold.

Behind the steps that Misery treads Approaching Comfort view: The hues of bliss more brightly glow Chastised by sabler tints of woe, And blended form, with artful strife, The strength and harmony of life.

E'en from the tomb the voice of Nature cries, E'en in our Ashes live their wonted Fires.

Dear, as the light that visits these sad eyes; Dear, as the ruddy drops that warm my heart.

No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, (There they alike in trembling hope repose,) The bosom of his Father and his God.

Here rests his head upon the lap of earth
A youth to fortune and to fame unknown.
Fair Science frowned not on his humble birth,
And Melancholy marked him for her own.

Where through the long-drawn aisle and fretted vault The pealing anthem swells the note of praise.

Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A youth to Fortune and Fame unknown.

But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page Rich with the spoils of time did ne'er unroll; Chill Penury repressed their noble rage, And froze the genial current of the soul.

Far from the sun and summer-gale, In thy green lap was Nature's Darling laid.

He passed the flaming bounds of place and time: The living throne, the sapphire-blaze, Where angels tremble, while they gaze, He saw; but blasted with excess of light, Closed his eyes in endless night.

Visions of glory, spare my aching sight, Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my soul!

For who to dumb Forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing anxious being e'er resigned, Left the warm precincts of the cheerful day, Nor cast one longing ling'ring look behind?