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A bard here dwelt, more fat than bard becomes
Who void of envy, guile and lust of gain,
On virtue still and nature's pleasing themes
Poured forth his unpremeditated strain.

— James Thomson The Castle of Indolence (1748)

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Poetry

More quotes by James Thomson

They who are pleased themselves must always please.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

He ceased; but still their trembling ears retained
The deep vibrations of his witching song.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

O fair undress, best dress! it checks no vein,
But every flowing limb in pleasure drowns,
And heightens ease with grace.

The Castle of Indolence (1748)

Why should we kill the best of passions, love?
It aids the hero, bids ambition rise
To nobler heights, inspires immortal deeds,
Even softens brutes, and adds a grace to virtue.

More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution.

All James Thomson quotes →

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Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality.

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Poetry, unlike oratory, should not aim at clarity...but be dense with meaning, 'something to be chewed and digested'.

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I am no poet, but if you think for yourselves, as I proceed, the facts will form a poem in your minds.

Michael Faraday

Attribution

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