Within that awful volume lies
The mystery of mysteries!
Happiest they of human race,
To whom God has granted grace
To read, to fear, to hope, to pray,
To lift the latch, and force the way:
And better had they ne'er been born,
Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.
Scripture
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Monastery (vol. 1, ch. XII)
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Delightful praise!--like summer rose,
That brighter in the dew-drop glows,
The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd,
For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard.
Praise
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lady of the Lake (canto II, st. 24)
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A foot more light, a step more true,
Ne'er from the heath-flower dashed the dew.
Footsteps
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lady of the Lake (canto I, st. 18)
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In man's most dark extremity
Oft succor dawns from Heaven.
Help
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lord of the Isles (canto I, st. 20)
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It [true love] is the secret sympathy,
The silver link, the silken tie,
Which heart to heart, and mind to mind
In body and in soul can bind.
Sympathy
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lay of the Last Minstrel (canto V, st. 13)
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O Caledonia! stern and wild,
Meet nurse for a poetic child!
Land of brown heath and shaggy wood,
Land of the mountain and the flood,
Land of my sires! what mortal hand
Can e'er untie the filial band,
That knits me to thy rugged strand!
Scotland
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lay of the Last Minstrel (canto VI, st. 2)
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Haste, holy Friar,
Haste, ere the sinner shall expire!
Of all his guilt let him be shriven,
And smooth his path from earth to heaven!
Guilt
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lay of the Last Minstrel (canto V, st. 22)
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The summer dawn's reflected hue
To purple changed Lock Katrine blue,
Mildly and soft the western breeze
Just kiss'd the lake, just stirr'd the trees,
And the pleased lake, like maiden coy,
Trembled but dimpled not for joy.
Summer
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lady of the Lake (canto III, st. 2)
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I cannot tell how the truth may be;
I say the tale as 'twas said to me.
Rumor
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lay of the Last Minstrel (canto II, st. 22)
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England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
Christmas
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Marmion (canto VI, introduction)
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The play bill which is said to have announced the tragedy of
Hamlet, the character of the Prince of Denmark being left out.
Acting
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Talisman (prologue), part of the Tales of the Crusaders
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Well, then--our course is chosen--spread the sail--
Heave oft the lead, and mark the soundings well--
Look to the helm, good master--many a shoal
Marks this stern coast, and rocks, where sits the Siren
Who, like ambition, lures men to their ruin.
Navigation
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Kenilworth (ch. XVII, verses at head of chapter)
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And let our barks across the pathless flood
Hold different courses.
Ships
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Kenilworth (ch. XXIX, introductory verses)
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'Tis an old tale, and often told;
But did my fate and wish agree,
Ne'er had been read, in story old,
Of maiden true betray'd for gold,
That loved, or was avenged, like me!
Revenge
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Marmion (canto II, st. 27)
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Vengeance to God alone belongs;
But, when I think of all my wrongs
My blood is liquid flame!
Revenge
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Marmion (canto Vi, st. 7)
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Like the dew on the mountain,
Like the foam on the river,
Like the bubble on the fountain,
Thou are gone, and for ever!
Loss
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: The Lady of the Lake (canto III, st. 16)
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What skilful limner e'er would choose
To paint the rainbow's varying hues,
Unless to mortal it were given
To dip his brush in dyes of heaven?
Rainbows
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: Marmion (canto VI, st. 5)
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Loud o'er my head though awful thunders roll,
And vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole,
Yet 'tis Thy voice, my God, that bids them fly,
Thy arm directs those lightnings through the sky.
Then let the good Thy mighty name revere,
And hardened sinners Thy just vengeance fear.
Storms
Quotes, by Sir Walter Scott , Source: On a Thunderstorm, written at the age of twelve, found in Lockhart's "Life of Scott", vol. I, ch. II
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