The unpurged images of day recede; The Emperor's drunken soldiery are abed; Night resonance recedes, night-walkers' song After great cathedral gong.

The Irishman sustains himself during brief periods of joy by the knowledge that tragedy is just around the corner.

The worst thing about some men is that when they are not drunk they are sober.

Never to have lived is best, ancient writers say. Never to have drawn the breath of life, never to have looked into the eye of day; The second best's a gay goodnight and quickly turn away.

Test every work of intellect or faith and everything that your own hands have wrought.

Now as at all times I can see in the mind's eye, In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones Appear and disappear in the blue depth of the sky With all their ancient faces like rain- beaten stones, And all their helms of silver hovering.

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.