William Watson (poet)

Sir William Watson (1858 – 11 August 1935) was an English poet, popular in his time for the political content of his verse. Quotes And, though circuitous and obscure,The feet of Nemesis how sure! "Europe at the Play", line 33, in The Year of Shame (London: John Lane, 1897), p. 75. April, April,Laugh thy girlish laughter;Then, the moment after,Weep thy girlish tears! "Song (April, April)", line 1, in The Hope of the World and Other Poems (London: John Lane, 1898), p. 41. Epigrams of Art, Life, and Nature (1884) Liverpool: Gilbert G. Walmsley, 1884. No pagination The Poet gathers fruit from every tree,Yea, grapes from thorns and figs from thistles he.Pluck'd by his hand, the basest weed that growsTowers to a lily, reddens to a rose. III, line 1 Man looks at his own bliss, considers it,Weighs it with curious fingers; and 'tis gone. XI, line 3. God, by the earlier sceptic, was exiled;The later is more lenient grown and mild:He sanctions God, provided you agreeTo any other name for deity. XII. "Thinkers, Past and Present", line 1. Flower-fondled, clasp'd in ivy's close caress,It seems with Nature, yet apart. XVII. "The Ruined Abbey", line 1. To keep in sight Perfection, and adoreThe vision, is the artist's best delight;His bitterest pang, that he can ne'er do moreThan keep her long'd-for loveliness in sight. XXXVII, line 1. His friends he loved. His fellest earthly foes—Cats—I believe he did but feign to hate.My hand will miss the insinuated nose,Mine eyes the tail that wagg'd contempt at Fate. L. "An Epitaph", line 1. Earth is less fragrant now, and heaven more sweet. LXI. "A Maiden's Epitaph", line 4. Wordsworth's Grave and Other Poems (1890) London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1890 Best they honour theeWho honour in thee only what is best. "The True Patriotism", line 13; p. 30. In this house with starry dome,Floored with gemlike plains and seas,Shall I never feel at home,Never wholly be at ease?On from room to room I stray,Yet mine Host can ne’er espy,And I know not to this dayWhether guest or captive I. "World-Strangeness", line 5; p. 50. Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness. "England to Ireland", line 17; p. 55. Poems (1892) London: Macmillan and Co., 1892 O be less beautiful, or be less brief. "Autumn", line 6; p. 4. O ye by wandering tempest sownNeath every alien star,Forget not whence the breath was blownThat wafted you afar!For ye are still her ancient seedOn younger soil let fall—Children of Britain’s island-breed,To whom the Mother in her needPerchance may one day call. "England and Her Colonies", line 10; p. 61. Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893) London: Macmillan and Co., 1893 Empires dissolve and peoples disappear,Song passes not away. "Lacrymæ Musarum", line 114; p. 9. 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. "The Great Misgiving", line 5; p. 52. The votes of veering crowds are notThe things that are more excellent. "The Things That Are More Excellent", line 15; p. 55. The stars of heaven are free becauseIn amplitude of libertyTheir joy is to obey the laws. "The Things That Are More Excellent", line 26; p. 56. The thirst to know and understand—A large and liberal discontent:These are the goods in life's rich hand,The things that are more excellent. "The Things That Are More Excellent", line 61; p. 58. God on His throne isEldest of poets:Unto His measuresMoveth the Whole. "England My Mother", Part ii, line 21; p. 66. Deemest thou, labourOnly is earnest?Grave is all beauty,Solemn is joy. "England My Mother", Part iv, line 17; p. 69. The Father of the Forest and Other Poems (1895) London: John Lane, 1895 Ladies whose smile embroiled the world. "The Father of the Forest", Part i, line 30; p. 21. Sea that breakest for ever, that breakest and never art broken. "Hymn to the Sea", Part ii, line 5; p. 21. Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds. "Hymn to the Sea", Part iii, line 8; p. 27. External links William+Watson William Watson Category:Poets from England Category:1858 births Category:1935 deaths