John Townsend Trowbridge
With years a richer life begins, the spirit mellow: ripe age gives tones to violins, wine, and good fellows.Collection: Wine
Not in rewards, but in the strength to strive, the blessing lies.Collection: Inspirational
The tears of the young who go their way, last a day; But the grief is long of the old who stay.Collection: Grief
A flower more sacred than far-seen success Perfumes my solitary path; I find Sweet compensation in my humbleness, And reap the harvest of a quiet mind.Collection: Sweet
For me the diamond dawns are set In rings of beauty.Collection: Dawn
Our days, our deeds, all we achieve or are, Lay folded in our infancy; the things Of good or ill we choose while yet unborn.Collection: Deeds
Of nothing comes nothing: springs rise not above Their source in the far-hidden heart of the mountains: Whence then have descended the Wisdom and Love That in man leap to light in intelligent fountains?Collection: Spring
The birds can fly, An' why can't I?Collection: Bird
Men are polished, through act and speech, Each by each, As pebbles are smoothed on the rolling beach.Collection: Beach
We are two travelers, Roger and I. Roger's my dog-come here, you scamp! Jump for the gentleman-mind your eye! Over the table,-look out for the lamp! The rogue is growing a little old; Five years we've tramped through wind and weather, And slept out-doors when nights were cold, And ate and drank and starved together.Collection: Friendship
The birds can fly, an' why can't I? Must we give in, says he with a grin, That the bluebird an' phoebe are smarter 'n we be?Collection: Giving
"The birds can fly, an' why can't I? Must we give in," says he, with a grin, "'T the blackbird an' phoebe are smarter 'n we be? Jest fold our hands, an' see the swaller An' blackbird an' catbird beat us holler? ... Jest show me that! er prove 't that bat Hez got more brains thans's in my hat, An' I'll back down, an' not till then!"Collection: Hands