Robert Browning

I... know what I do and am unmoved by men's blame or their praise either.

When a man's busy leisure strikes him as a wonderful pleasure and at leisure once is he? Straightway he wants to be busy.

Who hears music feels his solitude peopled at once.

So free we seem so fettered fast we are!

Man partly is and wholly hopes to be.

Make us happy and you make us good.

Man's reach should exceed his grasp or what's a heaven for?

Ah but a man's reach should exceed his grasp or what's a heaven for?

Your children are not dead. They are just waiting until the world deserves them.

When pain ends gain ends too.

Grow old with me! The best is yet to be The last of life for which the first was made: Our times are in his hands Who sayeth "a whole I plant Youth shows but half Trust God see all nor be afraid."

Why stay we on earth except to grow?

Best be yourself, imperial, plain, and true.

Any noseMay ravage with impunity a rose.

The rain set early in tonight,The sullen wind was soon awake,It tore the elm-tops down for spite,And did its best to vex the lake:I listened with heart fit to break.When glided in Porphyria; straightShe shut the cold out and the storm,And kneeled and made the cheerless grateBlaze up and all the cottage warm;

What Youth deemed crystal, Age finds out was dew

Take away love and our earth is a tomb.

Grow old along with me--the best is yet to be,