“I have been in a multitude of shapes,
Before I assumed a consistent form.
I have been a sword, narrow, variegated,
I will believe when it is apparent.
I have been a tear in the air,
I have been the dullest of stars.
I have been a word among letters,
I have been a book in the origin.”
Book of Taliesin (c. 1275?), The Battle of the Trees
Context: I have been in a multitude of shapes,
Before I assumed a consistent form.
I have been a sword, narrow, variegated,
I will believe when it is apparent.
I have been a tear in the air,
I have been the dullest of stars.
I have been a word among letters,
I have been a book in the origin.
I have been the light of lanterns,
A year and a half.
I have been a continuing bridge,
Over three score river mouths.
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
Taliesin 102
Welsh bard 534–599Related quotes

One of These Things First
Song lyrics, Bryter Later (1970)

The Paris Review interview (1984)
Context: I have never been to the Right, nor have I been a Communist, because I have experienced, personally, both forms of totalitarianism. It is those who have never lived under tyranny who call me petit bourgeois.

“I have consistently loved books that I've read when I've been sick in bed.”

“I have been bent and broken, but -I hope- into a better shape.”

Reported in Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert, Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), p. 99.

“I have consistently said that immigration has been good for this country,”
Brexit: MPs to have vote by 12 March, says May https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47348610 BBC News (24 February 2019)
2010s, 2019