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The stars of heaven are free because
In amplitude of liberty
Their joy is to obey the laws.

— William Watson Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893)

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Source and credibility

Wikiquote does not flag this quote as disputed or misattributed.

Source: "The Things That Are More Excellent", line 26; p. 56.
Work: Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems, 1893
Source quality: Precise citation Points to a specific work with a page, chapter, date or similar locator, so you can look it up.

More by William Watson

Empires dissolve and peoples disappear,
Song passes not away.

Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893)

Best they honour thee
Who honour in thee only what is best.

Wordsworth's Grave and Other Poems (1890)

God on His throne is
Eldest of poets:
Unto His measures
Moveth the Whole.

Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893)

The thirst to know and understand—
A large and liberal discontent:
These are the goods in life's rich hand,
The things that are more excellent.

Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893)

Earth is less fragrant now, and heaven more sweet.

Epigrams of Art, Life, and Nature (1884)

Man looks at his own bliss, considers it,
Weighs it with curious fingers; and 'tis gone.

Epigrams of Art, Life, and Nature (1884)

And, though circuitous and obscure,
The feet of Nemesis how sure!

Ladies whose smile embroiled the world.

The Father of the Forest and Other Poems (1895)

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Topics

Freedom

More quotes by William Watson

Sea that breakest for ever, that breakest and never art broken.

The Father of the Forest and Other Poems (1895)

Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds.

The Father of the Forest and Other Poems (1895)

Hate and mistrust are the children of blindness.

Wordsworth's Grave and Other Poems (1890)

Thou hadst, for weary feet, the gift of rest.

The votes of veering crowds are not
The things that are more excellent.

Lacrymæ Musarum and Other Poems (1893)

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Attribution

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