Things said or done long years ago Or things I did not do or say But thought that I might say or do, Weigh me down, and not a day But something is recalled, My conscience or my vanity appalled.

Love is based on inequality as friendship is on equality.

I think it better that in times like these a poet's mouth be silent, for in truth we have no gift to set a statesman right.

It's certain there are trout somewhere - And maybe I shall take a trout - but I do not seem to care.

I'm looking for the face I had, before the world was made.

Once out of nature I shall never take My bodily form from any natural thing, But such a form as Grecian goldsmiths make Of hammered gold and gold enameling To keep a drowsy Emperor awake; Or set upon a golden bough to sing To lords and ladies of Byzantium Of what is past, or passing, or to come.

Mysticism has been in the past and probably ever will be one of the great powers of the world and it is bad scholarship to pretend the contrary.