From “The Task,” Book VI.
NOT to understand a treasure’s worth
Till time has stol’n away the slighted good,
Is cause of half the poverty we feel,
And makes the world the wilderness it is.
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When a deed is done for Freedom, through the broad earth’s aching breast
Runs a thrill of joy prophetic, trembling on from east to west,
And the slave, where’er he cowers, feels the soul within him climb
To the awful verge of manhood, as the energy sublime
Of a century bursts full-blossomed on the thorny stem of Time.Through the walls of hut and...
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Ces rozes cy par grande nouveauté
Je vous envoye et en ay bien raison,
Puis que c'est fleur qui sans comparaison
Sur toutes fleurs tient la principaulté.
Sur les beaultez telle est vostre beaulté,
Et comme en France à la froide saison
La roze est rare et n'en est pas foison,
Rare est aussi ma grande loiaulté.
Si donc vous doibt la roze... -
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How much the present moment means
To those who've nothing more —
The Fop — the Carp — the Atheist —
Stake an entire store
Upon a Moment's shallow Rim
While their commuted Feet
The Torrents of Eternity
Do all but inundate —