“Let the snake wait under
his weed
and the writing
be of words, slow and quick, sharp
to strike, quiet to wait,
sleepless.”
"A Sort of a Song"
The Wedge (1944)
Context: Let the snake wait under
his weed
and the writing
be of words, slow and quick, sharp
to strike, quiet to wait,
sleepless.
— through metaphor to reconcile
the people and the stones.
Compose. (No ideas
but in things) Invent!
Saxifrage is my flower that splits
the rocks.
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
William Carlos Williams 83
American poet 1883–1963Related quotes
“Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.”
The Liberty of Man, Woman and Child (1877)
Context: There has never been upon the earth a generation of free men and women. It is not yet time to write a creed. Wait until the chains are broken — until dungeons are not regarded as temples. Wait until solemnity is not mistaken for wisdom — until mental cowardice ceases to be known as reverence. Wait until the living are considered the equals of the dead — until the cradle takes precedence of the coffin. Wait until what we know can be spoken without regard to what others may believe. Wait until teachers take the place of preachers — until followers become investigators. Wait until the world is free before you write a creed.
In this creed there will be but one word — Liberty.
“But many are driven to utmost peril by the mere dread of coming danger. He is truly brave, who is both quick to endure the ordeal, if it be close and pressing, and willing also to let it wait.”
Multos in summa pericula misit<br/>venturi timor ipse mali. Fortissimus ille est
qui, promptus metuenda pati, si comminus instent,
et differre potest.
Multos in summa pericula misit
venturi timor ipse mali. Fortissimus ille est
qui, promptus metuenda pati, si comminus instent,
et differre potest.
Book VII, line 104 (tr. J. D. Duff).
Pharsalia
Published in 1755, Hymns: "Ye Servants of the Lord", Chambers Dictionary of Quotations, p. 278.
Source: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
“I can but die… and I believe in God. Let me try and wait His will in silence.”
Jane (Ch. 28)
Jane Eyre (1847)