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Alfred Tennyson

The shell must break before the bird can fly.

The shell must break before the bird can fly.

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Alfred Tennyson

Half light, half shade, She stood, a sight to make an old man young.

Half light, half shade,
She stood, a sight to make an old man young.

Categories
Alfred Tennyson

O Soul, make merry and carouse, Dear soul, for all is well.

I built my soul a lordly pleasure-house,
Wherein at ease for aye to dwell.
I said, “O Soul, make merry and carouse,
Dear soul, for all is well.”

Categories
Alfred Tennyson

My eyes are full of tears, my heart of love

My eyes are full of tears, my heart of love,
My heart is breaking, and my eyes are dim,
And I am all aweary of my life.

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Alfred Tennyson

That we may die the self-same day.

There’s somewhat flows to us in life,
But more is taken quite away.
Pray, Alice, pray, my darling wife,
That we may die the self-same day.

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Alfred Tennyson

Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die

Theirs not to reason why,
theirs but to do and die

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Alfred Tennyson

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;
It may be that we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are —
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

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Alfred Tennyson

‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it when I sorrow most;
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

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Alfred Tennyson

I am a part of all that I have met

I am part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’
Gleams that untravell’d world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.