Thomas Gray Quotes

Any fool may write a most valuable book by chance, if he will only tell us what he heard and saw with veracity.

It has been usual to catch a mouse or two (for form’s sake) in public once a year.

Beyond the limits of a vulgar fate, Beneath the good how far—but far above the great.

Nor second he, that rode sublime Upon the seraph-wings of ecstasy, The secrets of th’abyss to spy. He passed the flaming bounds of place and time: The living throne, the sapphire-blaze, Where angels tremble, while they gaze, He saw; but blasted with excess of light, Closed his eyes in endless night.

Far from the sun and summer-gale, In thy green lap was Nature’s darling laid.

‘Be thine despair and sceptred care; To triumph, and to die, are mine.’ He spoke, and headlong from the mountain’s height Deep in the roaring tide he plunged to endless night.