James Elroy Flecker Quotes

I have seen old ships sail like swans asleep.

For lust of knowing what should not be known, we take the Golden Road to Samarkand.

Half to forget the wandering and pain, Half to remember days that have gone by, And dream and dream that I am home again!

I look down the farthest side of the mountain, fulfilled and understanding all, and truly content that I lived a full life and one that was my own choice

And some to Meccah turn to pray, and I toward thy bed, Yasmin.

The poet's business is not to save the soul of man but to make it worth saving.

A ship, an isle, a sickle moon With few but with how splendid stars The mirrors of the sea are strewn Between their silver bars!

For pines are gossip pines the wide world through And full of runic tales to sigh or sing.

But have you wine and music still,And statues and a bright-eyed love,And foolish thoughts of good and ill,And prayers to them who sit above?

For the spear was a desert physician, That cured not a few of ambition, And drave not a few to perdition, With medicine bitter and strong.

When the great markets by the sea shut fastAll that calm Sunday that goes on and on:When even lovers find their peace at last,And Earth is but a star, that once had shone.

We men of this age are rotten with book-lore and with a yearning for the past.