Thomas Gray Quotes

The breezy call of incense-breathing morn.

Where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise.

- Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College

Rich windows that exclude the light, And passages that lead to nothing.

Ye towers of Julius, London's lasting shame, With many a foul and midnight murder fed.

Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate, Beneath the good how far,—but far above the great.

The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow'r, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour: The paths of glory lead but to the grave.

Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed, Less pleasing when possest; The tear forgot as soon as shed, The sunshine of the breast.

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

Helm nor hauberk's twisted mail, Nor even thy virtues, tyrant, shall avail To save thy secret soul from nightly fears, From Cambria's curse, from Cambria's tears!

What female heart can gold despise? What cat's averse to fish?

The Curfew tolls the knell of parting day, The lowing herd wind slowly o'er the lea, The plowman homeward plods his weary way, And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Iron sleet of arrowy shower Hurtles in the darkened air.

Comus and his midnight crew.

A FLOWER THAT SMILES TODAY , TOMORROW DIES. ALL THAT WE WISH TO STAY, TEMPTS AND THEN FILES

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil,
Their homely joys, and destiny obscure;
Nor Grandeur hear with a disdainful smile
The short and simple annals of the poor....

Some village-Hampden, that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood;
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest,
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country's blood.