After a debauch of thunder-shower, the weather takes the pledge and signs it with a rainbow.

The ocean moans over dead men's bones.

Turn on its noiseless hinges, delicate sleep!

I beg you come tonight and dine A welcome waits you and sound wine The Roederer chilly to a charm As Juno's breasts the claret warm.

Great orators who are not also great writers become very indistinct shadows to the generations following them. The spell vanishes with the voice.

Books that have become classics - books that have had their day and now get more praise than perusal - always remind me of retired colonels and majors and captains who, having reached the age limit, find themselves retired on half pay.

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent that is to triumph over old age.