Thomas Gray Quotes

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.

Let not Ambition mock their useful toil

Glance their many-twinkling feet.

What sorrow was, thou bad'st her know, And from her own she learned to melt at others' woe.

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

Where his glowing eye−balls turn, Thousand banners round him burn. Where he points his purple spear, Hasty, hasty Rout is there, Marking with indignant eye Fear to stop and shame to fly. There Confusion, Terror's child, Conflict fierce and Ruin wild, Agony that pants for breath, Despair and honourable Death.

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

- Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College

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

Each in his narrow cell forever laid, The rude Forefathers of the hamlet sleep.

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

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.

The generous spark extinct revive,
Teach me to love and to forgive,
Exact my own defects to scan,
What others are, to feel, and to know myself a Man.

- Hymn to Adversity