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

Page 691

 
 
Oliver Wendell Holmes. (1809–1894) (continued)
 
6946
    Have you heard of the wonderful one-hoss shay,
That was built in such a logical way
It ran a hundred years to a day?
          The Deacon’s Masterpiece.
6947
    A general flavor of mild decay.
          The Deacon’s Masterpiece.
6948
    It went to pieces all at once—
All at once and nothing first,
Just as bubbles do when they burst.
          The Deacon’s Masterpiece.
6949
    The brightest blades grow dim with rust,
  The fairest meadow white with snow.
          Chanson without Music.
6950
    When lawyers take what they would give
And doctors give what they would take.
          Latterday Warnings.
6951
    Fame is the scentless sunflower, with gaudy crown of gold;
But friendship is the breathing rose, with sweets in every fold.
          No Time like the old Time.
6952
    God reigneth. All is well. 1 
          Hymn at the Funeral Services of Charles Sumner.
6953
      One unquestioned text we read,
All doubt beyond, all fear above;
Nor crackling pile nor cursing creed 2 
  Can burn or blot it—God is love.
          What we all think.
6954
    If we are only as the potter’s clay
Made to be fashioned as the artist wills,
And broken into shards if we offend
The eye of Him who made us, it is well.
          Rights.
6955
      A thought is often original, though you have uttered it a hundred times.
          The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table. i.
 
Note 1.
Browning: Pippa Passes. God’s in his heaven—
  All’s right with the world. [back]
Note 2.
Browning: Paracelsus. God! Thou art love! I build my faith on that. [back]