Edwin Arnold Quotations

The foolish ofttimes teach the wise: I strain too much this string of life, belike, Meaning to make such music as shall save. Mine eyes are dim now that they see the truth, My strength is waned now that my need is most; Would that I had such help as man must have, For I shall die, whose life was all men's hope.

The royal kingcup bold Dares not don his coat of gold.

Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours For one lone soul another lonely soul, Each choosing each through all the weary hours, And meeting strangely at one sudden goal, Then blend they, like green leaves with golden flowers, Into one beautiful and perfect whole; And life's long night is ended, and the way Lies open onward to eternal day.

Like a plank of driftwood Tossed on the watery main, Another plank encountered, Meets, touches, parts again; So tossed, and drifting ever, On life's unresting sea, Men meet, and greet, and sever, Parting eternally.

Pity and need Make all flesh kin. There in no caste in blood.

Yet who shall shut out Fate?

That what will come, and must come, shall come well.

Like threads of silver seen through crystal beads Let love through good deeds show.

A little rain will fill The lily's cup which hardly moistens the field.

Early violets blue and white Dying for their love of light.