In the lost battle, Borne down by the flying, Where mingles war's rattle With groans of the dying.
Walter ScottIf a faultless poem could be produced, I am satisfied it would tire the critics themselves; and annoy the whole reading world with the spleen.
Walter ScottWhat skilful limner e'er would choose To paint the rainbow's varying hues, Unless to mortal it were given To dip his brush in dyes of heaven?
Walter ScottWe shall never learn to feel and respect our real calling and destiny, unless we have taught ourselves to consider every thing as moonshine, compared with the education of the heart.
Walter ScottCertainly," quoth Athelstane, "women are the least to be trusted of all animals, monks and abbots excepted.
Walter ScottWhat a strange scene if the surge of conversation could suddenly ebb like the tide, and show us the real state of people's minds.
Walter ScottWhat an ornament and safeguard is humor! Far better than wit for a poet and writer. It is a genius itself, and so defends from the insanities.
Walter ScottIt is only when I dally with what I am about, look back and aside, instead of keeping my eyes straight forward, that I feel these cold sinkings of the heart.
Walter ScottTrue love's the gift which God has given To man alone beneath the heaven: It is not fantasy's hot fire, Whose wishes soon as granted fly; It liveth not in fierce desire.
Walter ScottFor he that does good, having the unlimited power to do evil, deserves praise not only for the good which he performs, but for the evil which he forbears.
Walter ScottCredit is like a looking-glass, which when once sullied by a breath, may be wiped clear again; but if once cracked can never be repaired.
Walter ScottIf a farmer fills his barn with grain, he gets mice. If he leaves it empty, he gets actors.
Walter ScottNow, it is well known, that a man may with more impunity be guilty of an actual breach either of real good breeding or of good morals, than appear ignorant of the most minute point of fashionable etiquette.
Walter ScottWho o'er the herd would wish to reign, Fantastic, fickle, fierce, and vain! Vain as the leaf upon the stream, And fickle as a changeful dream; Fantastic as a woman's mood, And fierce as Frenzy's fever'd blood. Thou many-headed monster thing, Oh who would wish to be thy king!
Walter ScottAffection can withstand very severe storms of vigor, but not a long polar frost of indifference.
Walter ScottO! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound a heart that's broken!
Walter ScottThou hast had thty day, old dame, but thy sun has long been set. Thou art now the very emblem of an old warhorse turned out on the barren heath; thou hast had thy paces in thy time, but now a broken amble is the best of them.
Walter ScottThe half hour between waking and rising has all my life proved propitious to any task which was exercising my invention... It was always when I first opened my eyes that the desired ideas thronged upon me.
Walter ScottUnless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn.
Walter ScottLove rules the court, the camp, the grove, And men below, and saints above: For love is heaven, and heaven is love.
Walter Scott