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He has built his monument
With the winds of time at strife,
Who could have before he went
Written in the book of life.
To the stars from which he came
Empty handed he goes home;
He who might have wrought in flame
Only traced upon the foam.'

— George William Russell The Nuts of Knowledge (1903)

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More quotes by George William Russell

There are heaps of things I would like to do, but there is no time to do them.

Letter to Mrs. T. P. Hyatt (1895)

For sure the enchanted waters pour through every wind that blows.

The Nuts of Knowledge (1903)

I shine afar, till men may not divine
Whether it is the stars or the beloved
They follow with wrapt spirit.

By Still Waters (1906)

Each dream remembered is a burning-glass,
Where through to darkness from the Light of Lights
Its rays in splendour pass.

By Still Waters (1906)

On the laugh of a child I am borne to the joy of the King.

All George William Russell quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: George William Russell (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.