“A giant as we hoped, in truth, a dwarf; A barrel of slop that shines on Lethe's wharf', Which at first seemed a vessel with sweet wine For thirsty lips. So down the swift decline You went through sloven spirit, craven heart And cynic indolence. And here the art Of molding clay has caught you for the nonce And made your shame our shame ~ Your head in bronze!” FirstsHeartArtMadeSpiritAtheismSweetShameWineShiningLipsCaughtGiantsDeclineClayVesselBarrelsThirstyDwarfsIndolenceCynicDwarvesBronzeShine OnMoldingLetheSweet Wine Author:Edgar Lee Masters
“This is a man with an old face, always old... There was pathos, in his face, and in his eyes. The early weariness; and sometimes tears in his eyes, Which he let slip unconsciously on his cheek, Or brushed away with an unconcerned hand. There were tears for human suffering, or for a glance Into the vast futility of life, Which he had seen from the first, being old When he was born.” MenFirstsHumansSometimesHandsEyeFacesSufferingBornAtheismTearsHis EyesSlipsCheeksGlancesFutilityWearinessPathosHuman SufferingUnconcernedBeing OldFutility Of Life Author:Edgar Lee Masters
“The Typical American? He is sent to school Little or much, where he imbibes the rule Of safety first and comfort; in his youth He joins the church and ends the quest of truth.” FirstsLittlesEndsSchoolChurchAtheismYouthComfortSafetyQuestsTypicalSafety First Author:Edgar Lee Masters
“Those who first oppose a good work, seize it and make it their own, when the cornerstone is laid and memorial tablets are erected.” FirstsGood WorkMemorialCornerstonesTablets Book:Spoon River Anthology Source: Spoon River Anthology
