James Elroy Flecker Quotes

1884–1915 England

James Elroy Flecker (November 5 1884 – January 3 1915) was an English poet, novelist and playwright. As a poet he was most influenced by the Parnassian poets.

England
Novelists
Playwrights
Poets

Also known as: J. E. Flecker

Random James Elroy Flecker quote

14 quotes

The poet's business is not to save the soul of man but to make it worth saving.

I have seen old ships sail like swans asleep.

And some to Meccah turn to pray, and I toward thy bed, Yasmin.

Hassan (1922)

Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

Hassan (1922)

A ship, an isle, a sickle moon —
With few but with how splendid stars.

When even lovers find their peace at last,
And Earth is but a star, that once had shone.

The Golden Journey to Samarkand (1913)

West of these out to seas colder than the Hebrides
I must go
Where the fleet of stars is anchored and the young
Star captains glow.

We travel not for trafficking alone;
By hotter winds our fiery hearts are fanned;
For lust of knowing what should not be known,
We take the Golden Road to Samarkand.

Hassan (1922)

I care not if you bridge the seas,
Or ride secure the cruel sky,
Or build consummate palaces
Of metal or of masonry.
But have you wine and music still,
And statues and a bright-eyed love,
And foolish thoughts of good and ill,
And prayers to them who sit above?

And the Spear was a Desert Physician who cured not a few of ambition,
And drave not a few to perdition with medicine bitter and strong.

O friend unseen, unborn, unknown,
Student of our sweet English tongue,
Read out my words at night, alone:
I was a poet, I was young.

When the great markets by the sea shut fast
All that calm Sunday that goes on and on:
When even lovers find their peace at last,
And Earth is but a star, that once had shone.

The Golden Journey to Samarkand (1913)

We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage:
And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die,
We Poets of the proud old lineage
Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why.

The Golden Journey to Samarkand (1913)

We are the Pilgrims, master; we shall go
Always a little further; it may be
Beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow
Across that angry or that glimmering sea,
White on a throne or guarded in a cave
There lies a prophet who can understand
Why men were born: but surely we are brave,
Who take the Golden Road to Samarkand.

Hassan (1922)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: James Elroy Flecker (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.