Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American poet Fitz-Greene Halleck.
Last updated on December 24, 2024.
Fitz-Greene Halleck was an American poet and member of the Knickerbocker Group. Born and raised in Guilford, Connecticut, he went to New York City at the age of 20, and lived and worked there for nearly four decades. He was sometimes called "the American Byron". His poetry was popular and widely read but later fell out of favor. It has been studied since the late twentieth century for its homosexual themes and insights into nineteenth-century society.
It is a rich storehouse for those who love quotations. It is as full of fine bon mots as a Christmas pudding is full of plums.
I cannot spare the luxury of believing that all things beautiful are what they seem.
And Burns--though brief the race he ran,
Though rough and dark the paths he trod,
Lived--died--in form and soul a man,
The image of his God.
Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days!
None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise.
Strike-for your altars and your fires;
Strike-for the green graves of your sires;
God-and your native land!
There is an evening twilight of the heart, When its wild passion-waves are lulled to rest.
And thou art terrible--the tear,
The groan, the knell, the pall, the bier;
And all we know, or dream, or fear
Of agony, are thine.
Beauty,--the fading rainbow's pride.
The wild-flower wreath of feeling, the sunbeam of the heart.
None knew thee but to love thee.
They love their land, because it is their own, And scorn to give aught other reason why; Would shake hands with a king upon his throne, And think it kindness to his majesty. - Fitz
I sorrow that all fair things must decay.
Come to the bridal-chamber, Death!
Come to the mother's, when she feels,
For the first time, her first-born's breath!
Come when the blessed seals
That close the pestilence are broke,
And crowded cities wail its stroke!
Ere the dolphin dies
Its hues are brightest. Like an infant's breath
Are tropic winds before the voice of death.
What is man's love? His vows are broke even while his parting kiss is warm.