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John Townsend Trowbridge

John Townsend Trowbridge Quotes

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John Townsend Trowbridge was an American author known for his historical novels and poetry. His works often focused on American history and delved into the relationship between individuals and society. Born on September 18, 1827, he passed away on February 12, 1916.

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All Light Men Aviation Bird Giving Bluebird Mind Smarter Snow Stalking

Famous John Townsend Trowbridge Quotes

“The birds can fly, An' why can't I?”

Bird Aviation Bluebird

Book:Vagabonds: And Other Poems

Source: Vagabonds: And Other Poems

“Of nothing comes nothing: springs rise not above Their source in the far-hidden heart of the mountains: Whence then have descended the Wisdom and Love That in man leap to light in intelligent fountains?”

Men Heart Light Source Mountain Spring And Love Intelligent Leap Fountain

Book:The Emigrant's Story: And Other Poems

Source: The Emigrant's Story: And Other Poems

“If you will observe, it doesn't take A man of giant mould to make A giant shadow on the wall; And he who in our daily sight Seems but a figure mean and small, Outlined in Fame's illusive light, May stalk, a silhouette sublime, Across the canvas of his time.”

Ifs Men May Mean Light Seems Figures Wall Fame Shadow Sight Giants Canvas Sublime Stalking Mould Silhouettes

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“Our days, our deeds, all we achieve or are, Lay folded in our infancy; the things Of good or ill we choose while yet unborn.”

Achieve Lays Ill Deeds Unborn Infancy

Book:A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

Source: A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

“I keep some portion of my early gleam; Brokenly bright, like moonbeams on a river, It lights my life, a far illusive dream, Moves as I move, and leads me on forever.”

Dream Light Moving Forever Rivers Portions Leading Me Gleam Moonbeams

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“The tears of the young who go their way, last a day; But the grief is long of the old who stay.”

Way Long Lasts Young Grief Tears

Book:A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

Source: A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

“A flower more sacred than far-seen success Perfumes my solitary path; I find Sweet compensation in my humbleness, And reap the harvest of a quiet mind.”

Mind Path Sweet Flower Quiet Sacred Solitary Harvest Perfume Compensation Reap Humbleness

Book:My Own Story: With Recollection of Noted Persons

Source: My Own Story: With Recollection of Noted Persons

“On turf and curb and bower-roof The snow-storm spreads its ivory woof; It paves with pearl the garden-walk; And lovingly around the tatter'd stalk And snivering stem its magic weaves A mantle fair as lily-leaves.”

Walks Magic Fairs Garden Spread Storm Snow Roof Stem Pearls Lilies Stalking Curb Ivory Turf Snow Storms

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“The speckled sky is dim with snow, The light flakes falter and fall slow; Athwart the hill-top, rapt and pale, Silently drops a silvery veil; And all the valley is shut in By flickering curtains gray and thin.”

Light Fall Sky Snow Hills Gray Valleys Pale Veils Curtains Flakes

Book:Vagabonds: And Other Poems

Source: Vagabonds: And Other Poems

“"The birds can fly, an' why can't I? Must we give in," says he, with a grin, "'T the blackbird an' phoebe are smarter 'n we be? Jest fold our hands, an' see the swaller An' blackbird an' catbird beat us holler? ... Jest show me that! er prove 't that bat Hez got more brains thans's in my hat, An' I'll back down, an' not till then!"”

Giving Shows Hands Brain Prove Beats Bird Flight Hats Aviation Smarter Bats Show Me Folds Jest Blackbirds

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“Not in rewards, but in the strength to strive, the blessing lies.”

Inspirational Lying Blessing Rewards Strive Count Your Blessings

Book:A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

Source: A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

“For me the diamond dawns are set In rings of beauty.”

Rings Dawn Diamond Jewelry

Book:Vagabonds: And Other Poems

Source: Vagabonds: And Other Poems

“With years a richer life begins, the spirit mellow: ripe age gives tones to violins, wine, and good fellows.”

Giving Years Age Spirit Fellows Wine Tone Violin Ripe Mellow

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“Darius was clearly of the opinion That the air is also man's dominion, And that, with paddle or fins or pinion, We soon or late Shall navigate The azure, as now we sail the sea.”

Men Opinion Air Sea Late Aviation Sail Predictions Dominion Navigate Fins Azure Darius

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“The birds can fly, an' why can't I? Must we give in, says he with a grin, That the bluebird an' phoebe are smarter 'n we be?”

Giving Bird Smarter Bluebird

Book:Vagabonds: And Other Poems

Source: Vagabonds: And Other Poems

“We are two travelers, Roger and I. Roger's my dog-come here, you scamp! Jump for the gentleman-mind your eye! Over the table,-look out for the lamp! The rogue is growing a little old; Five years we've tramped through wind and weather, And slept out-doors when nights were cold, And ate and drank and starved together.”

Years Mind Looks Littles Two Eye Together Night Friendship Five Growing Doors Dog Wind Cold Tables Weather Gentleman Five Years Traveler Lamps My Dog Drank Roger Rogues

Author:John Townsend Trowbridge

“Men are polished, through act and speech, Each by each, As pebbles are smoothed on the rolling beach.”

Men Speech Beach Rolling Polished Pebbles

Book:A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

Source: A Home Idyl: And Other Poems

About the Author

Born: September 18, 1827
Died: February 12, 1916
Known for: Author
Quotes: 17

Related Topics

Light Men Aviation Bird Giving Bluebird Mind Smarter Snow Stalking

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

A Home Idyl: And Other PoemsRelated source material

Vagabonds: And Other PoemsRelated source material

My Own Story: With Recollection of Noted PersonsRelated source material

The Emigrant's Story: And Other PoemsRelated source material

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