Skip to content
quotesby

10 William Wetmore Story Quotes

William Wetmore Story writes thoughtful, poetic reflections on art and expression.

William Wetmore Story quotes

  1. I sing the hymn of the conquered, who fell in the Battle of Life,- The hymn of the wounded, the beaten, who died overwhelmed in the strife:. The hymn of the low and the humble, the weary, the broken in heart, Who strove and who failed, acting bravely a silent and desperate part.

    Permalink to quote #1
  2. And all but their faith overthrown.

    Permalink to quote #2
  3. Ah me! the vision has vanished, The music has died away!

    Permalink to quote #3
  4. Of every noble work the silent part is best, Of all expression that which can not be expressed.

    Permalink to quote #4
  5. The Poet in his Art Must intimate the whole, and say the smallest part.

    Permalink to quote #5

Also attributed

  1. The shadows of twilight grow, And the tiger’s ancient fierceness In my veins begins to flow.

  2. Of every noble work the silent part is best; of all expression, that which cannot be expressed.

  3. But the gray and the cold are haunted by a beauty akin to pain, by a sense of a something wanted that never will come again.

  4. They only the victory win, Who have fought the good fight and have vanquished the demon that tempts us within; Who have held to their faith unseduced by the prize that the world holds on high; Who have dared for a high cause to suffer, resist, fight -- if need be, to die.

  5. Oh! faint delicious spring-time violet, Thine odor like a key, Turns noiselessly in memory's wards to let A thought of sorrow free.