But it chanced the other day that I scented a white water- lily.... It is the emblem of purity.... What confirmation of our hopes ...is in the fragrance of this flower! I shall not so soon despair of the world for it, notwithstanding slavery, and the cowardice and want of principle of Northern men. It suggests what kinds of laws have prevailed longest and widest, and still prevail, and that the time may come when man's deeds will smell as sweet. Such is the odor which the plant emits.... It reminds me that Nature has been partner to no Missouri compromise. I scent no compromise in the fragrance of the water-lily.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
What do we plant when we plant the tree? We plant the ship that will cross the sea,... We plant the mast to carry the sails, We plant the planks to withstand the gales-- The keel, the keelson, and beam and knee-- We plant the ship when we plant the tree.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
How sweet I roam'd from field to field And tasted all the summer's pride,... Till I the Prince of Love beheld Who in the sunny beams did glide!LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
With sweet May dews my wings were wet, And Phoebus fir'd my vocal rage;... He caught me in his silken net, And shut me in his golden cage.
He loves to sit and hear me sing, Then, laughing, sports and plays with me; Then stretches out my golden wing, And mocks my loss of liberty.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
Evolution was in a strange mood when that creation came along.... It makes one wonder just where the plant world leaves off and th...e animal world begins.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
There is a lady sweet and kind, Was never face so pleased my mind;... I did but see her passing by, And yet I love her till I die.LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »
I had a dove and the sweet dove died; And I have thought it died of grieving:... O what could it grieve for? Its feet were tied, With a silken thread of my own hand's weaving;LESSATTRIBUTION DETAIL »