Book ii
. Stanza 17._
At the close of the day when the hamlet is still, And mortals the sweets of forgetfulness prove, When naught but the torrent is heard on the hill, And naught but the nightingale's song in the grove.
_The Hermit._
He thought as a sage, though he felt as a man.
_The Hermit._
But when shall spring visit the mouldering urn? Oh when shall it dawn on the night of the grave?
_The Hermit._
By the glare of false science betray'd, That leads to bewilder, and dazzles to blind.
_The Hermit._
And beauty immortal awakes from the tomb.
_The Hermit._
JOHN ADAMS. 1735-1826.
Yesterday the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that those United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.
_Letter to Mrs. Adams, July 3, 1776._
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.
_Letter to Mrs. Adams, July 3, 1776._
PATRICK HENRY. 1736-1799.
Cæsar had his Brutus; Charles the First, his Cromwell; and George the Third ["Treason!" cried the Speaker]--_may profit by their example_. If _this_ be treason, make the most of it.
_Speech in the Virginia Convention, 1765._
I am not a Virginian, but an American.[428-1]
_Speech in the Virginia Convention. September, 1774._
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way of judging of the future but by the past.[428-2]
_Speech in the Virginia Convention. March, 1775._
Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
_Speech in the Virginia Convention. March, 1775._
FOOTNOTES:
[428-1] I was born an American; I will live an American; I shall die an American!--WEBSTER: _Speech, July 17, 1850._
[428-2] See Burke, page 411.
EDWARD GIBBON. 1737-1794.
The reign of Antoninus is marked by the rare advantage of furnishing very few materials for history, which is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.[430-1]
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. iii._
Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. xi._
Amiable weaknesses of human nature.[430-2]
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. xiv._
In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.[430-3]
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. xlviii._
Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. xlix._
The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.[430-4]
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. lxviii._
Vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, which buries empires and cities in a common grave.
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. lxxi._
All that is human must retrograde if it do not advance.
_Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire_ (1776). _Chap. lxxi._
I saw and loved.[430-5]
_Memoirs. Vol. i. p. 106._
On the approach of spring I withdraw without reluctance from the noisy and extensive scene of crowds without company, and dissipation without pleasure.
_Memoirs. Vol. i. p. 116._
I was never less alone than when by myself.[431-1]
_Memoirs. Vol. i. p. 117._
FOOTNOTES:
[430-1] L'histoire n'est que le tableau des crimes et des malheurs (History is but the record of crimes and misfortunes).--VOLTAIRE: _L' Ingénu, chap. x._
[430-2] See Fielding, page 364.
[430-3] See Clarendon, page 255.
[430-4] On dit que Dieu est toujours pour les gros bataillons (It is said that God is always on the side of the heaviest battalions).--VOLTAIRE: _Letter to M. le Riche. 1770._
J'ai toujours vu Dieu du coté des gros bataillons (I have always noticed that God is on the side of the heaviest battalions).--_De la Ferté to Anne of Austria._
[430-5] See Chapman, page 35.
[431-1] Never less alone than when alone.--ROGERS: _Human Life._
THOMAS PAINE. 1737-1809.
And the final event to himself [Mr. Burke] has been, that, as he rose like a rocket, he fell like the stick.
_Letter to the Addressers._
These are the times that try men's souls.
_The American Crisis. No. 1._
The sublime and the ridiculous are often so nearly related, that it is difficult to class them separately. One step above the sublime makes the ridiculous, and one step above the ridiculous makes the sublime again.[431-2]
_Age of Reason.