Lady, the sun's light to our eyes is dear, And fair the tranquil reaches of the sea, And flowery earth in May, and bounding waters; And so right many fair things I might praise; Yet nothing is so radiant and so fair As for souls childless, with desire sore-smitten, To see the light of babes about the house.

To generous souls every task is noble.

I would prefer as friend a good man ignorant than one more clever who is evil too.

Lady, the sun's light to our eyes is dear, And fair the tranquil reaches of the sea, And flowery earth in May, and bounding waters; And so right many fair things I might praise; Yet nothing is so radiant and so fair As for souls childless, with desire sore-smitten, To see the light of babes about the house.

Noble fathers have noble children.

Oftener than not the old are uncontrollable; Their tempers make them difficult to deal with.

This is what it means to be a slave; to be abused and bear it; compelled by violence to suffer wrong.