Phineas Fletcher

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“From the handful of books that usually lay strewn about wherever we two sat, I took up one he had lately got, with no small pains I was sure, and had had bound in its own proper colour, and presented it to me — "The Purple Island," and "Sicelides," of Phineas Fletcher. People seldom read this wise, tender, and sweet-voiced old fellow now; so I will even copy the verses I found for John to read.”

“Since it is a law of nature, admitting only rare exceptions, that the qualities of the ancestors should be transmitted to the race, — the fact seems patent enough, that even allowing equal advantages, a gentleman's son has more chances of growing up a gentleman than the son of a working man. And though he himself, and his father before him, had both been working men, still, I think, Abel Fletcher never forgot that we originally came of a good stock, and that it pleased him to call me, his only son, after one of our forefathers, not unknown — Phineas Fletcher, who wrote the "Purple Island."”

“Faint heart ne'er won fair lady.”

“His little son into his bosom creeps,The lively picture of his father’s face.”

“His life is neither tossed in boisterous seasOf troublous world, nor lost in slothful ease.”

“He is as cowardlyWho longer fears to live, as he who fears to die.”

“Who bathes in worldly joys, swims in a world of fears.”

“In Heaven they scorned to serve, so now in Hell they reign.”

“When needs he must, yet faintly then he praises;Somewhat the deed, but more the means, he raises:So marreth what he makes, and praising most, dispraises.”

“Poorly (poor man) he lived; poorly (poor man) he died.”

“The way to God is by ourselves.”

“The coward’s weapon, poison.”

“Only in love they happy proveWho love what most deserves their love.”

“Love is like linen; often changed, the sweeter.”

“Beauty when most unclothed is clothed best.”

“Love’s tongue is in the eyes.”

“In your deep floodsDrown all my faults and fears;Not let His eyeSee sin, but through my tears.”

“Drop, drop, slow tears,And bathe those beauteous feet,Which brought from HeavenThe news and Prince of Peace.”

“Thus fell that prince of darkness, once a brightAnd shining star [...]:To be in Heaven the second he disdains;So now the first in Hell and flames he reigns,Crowned once with joy and light: crowned now with fire and pains.”