The average man, if he meddles with criticism at all, is a conservative critic.

To justify God’s ways to man.

There, by the starlit fences The wanderer halts and hears My soul that lingers sighing About the glimmering weirs.

Perfect understanding will sometimes almost extinguish pleasure.

Ale, man, ale’s the stuff to drink for fellows whom it hurts to think.

Do not ever read books about versification: no poet ever learnt it that way. If you are going to be a poet, it will come to you naturally and you will pick up all you need from reading poetry.

Shoulder the sky, my lad, and drink your ale.

This is for all ill-treated fellows Unborn and unbegot, For them to read when they’re in trouble And I am not.

In every American there is an air of incorrigible innocence, which seems to conceal a diabolical cunning.

We now to peace and darkness And earth and thee restore Thy creature that thou madest And wilt cast forth no more.