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John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.

Page 579

 
 
Sir Thomas Noon Talfourd. (1795–1854)
 
5958
                    So his life has flowed
From its mysterious urn a sacred stream,
In whose calm depth the beautiful and pure
Alone are mirrored; which, though shapes of ill
May hover round its surface, glides in light,
And takes no shadow from them.
          Ion. Act i. Sc. 1.
5959
                    ’T is a little thing
To give a cup of water; yet its draught
Of cool refreshment, drained by fevered lips,
May give a shock of pleasure to the frame
More exquisite than when nectarean juice
Renews the life of joy in happiest hours.
          Ion. Act i. Sc. 2.
5960
                    Fill the seats of justice
With good men, not so absolute in goodness
As to forget what human frailty is.
          Ion. Act v.
5961
                    In ourselves
In our own honest hearts and chainless hands
Will be our safeguard:
          Ion. Act v.
5962
                              Nevermore
Let the great interests of the State depend
Upon the thousand chances that may sway
A piece of human frailty; swear to me
That ye will seek hereafter in yourselves
The means of sovereignty.
          Ion. Act v.