We have our little theory on all human and divine things. Poetry, the workings of genius itself, which, in all times, with one or ...another meaning, has been called Inspiration, and held to be mysterious and inscrutable, is no longer without its scientific exposition. The building of the lofty rhyme is like any other masonry or bricklaying: we have theories of its rise, height, decline and fall--which latter, it would seem, is now near, among all people.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
All the terrors of the French Republic, which held Austria in awe, were unable to command her diplomacy. But Napoleon sent to Vien...na M. de Narbonne, one of the old noblesse, with the morals, manners, and name of that interest, saying, that it was indispensable to send to the old aristocracy of Europe men of the same connection, which, in fact, constitutes a sort of free- masonry. M. de Narbonne, in less than a fortnight, penetrated all the secrets of the imperial cabinet.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I learn immediately from any speaker how much he has already lived, through the poverty or the splendor of his speech. Life lies b...ehind us as the quarry from whence we get tiles and copestones for the masonry of today. This is the way to learn grammar. Colleges and books only copy the language which the field and the work-yard made.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Come see the north wind's masonry. Out of an unseen quarry evermore... Furnished with tile, the fierce artificer Curves his white bastions with projected roofLESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Not marble nor the gilded monuments Of princes shall outlive this powerful rime;... But you shall shine more bright in these contents Than unswept stone, besmeared with sluttish time. When wasteful war shall statues overturn, And broils root out the work of masonry, Nor Mars his sword nor war's quick fire shall burn The living record of your memory.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »