In the storm, like a prophet o'ermaddened, Thou singest and tossest thy branches; Thy heart with the terror is gladdened, Thou forebodest the dread avalanches.... In the calm thou o'erstretchest the valleys With thine arms, as if blessings imploring, Like an old king led forth from his palace, When his people to battle are pouring.

It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested.

A poet must need be before his own age, to be even with posterity

Heaven is neither here nor there to me. Everywhere and nowhere. Just not in between, But I believe in Heaven.

It is singular how impatient men are with overpraise of others, how patient of overpraise of themselves; and yet the one does them no injury, while the other may be their ruin.

And the poorest twig on the elm-tree was ridged inch deep with pearl.

It is mediocrity which makes laws and sets mantraps and spring-guns in the realm of free song, saying thus far shalt thou go and no further.