Sir William Watson (1858 – 11 August 1935) was an English poet, popular in his time for the political content of his verse.

Quotes

  • O be less beautiful,or be less brief.
  • April, April,
    Laugh thy girlish laughter;
    Then, the moment after,
    Weep thy girlish tears!
  • O ye by wandering tempest sown
    ’Neath every alien star,
    Forget not whence the breath was blown
    That wafted you afar!
    For ye are still her ancient seed
    On younger soil let fall—
    Children of Britain’s island-breed,
    To whom the Mother in her need
    Perchance may one day call.
  • The after-silence, when the feast is o'er,
    And void the places where the minstrels stood,
    Differs in nought from what hath been before,
    And is nor ill nor good.
  • Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness—
    • England to Ireland, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • Best they honor thee
    Who honor in thee only what is best.
    • The true Patriotism, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • And though circuitous and obscure
    The feet of Nemesis how sure!
    • Europe at the Play, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds.
    • Hymn to the Sea, Part iii, 8, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • Deemest thou labor
    Only is earnest?
    Grave is all beauty,
    Solemn is joy.
    • England my Mother, Part iv, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • Empires dissolve and peoples disappear,
    Song passes not away.
    • Lacrymae Musarum, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • In this world with starry dome,
    Floored with gemlike plains and seas,
    Shall I never feel at home,
    Never wholly be at ease?
    • World-Strangeness, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
  • On from room to room I stray,
    Yet mine Host can ne’er espy,
    And I know not to this day,
    Whether guest or captive I.
    • World-Strangeness, reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919).
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