Most Beautiful.

[derekpara]

What would you choose as the most beautiful single line or sentence in prose/poetry ?  ie 'Now came still evening on' (Milton's Paradise Lost)

[lindapinda]

Well,this may not be beautiful as such,but my particular favourite,which I find very evocative,is Frost's "The woods are lovely,dark and deep."

[Morrisonker]

it's a few lines:

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light, I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

From The Old Astromoner to His Pupil by Sarah Williams

[RogK]

From Rupert Brooke's "The Soldier". He died shortly after writing this:

"If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is forever England ..."

[netibiza]

"Go gently into that goodnight"

[shaneystar]

I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied.
Sea fever
John Masefield.

[derekpara]

Thank you all for those wonderful answers. Isn't it smashing to read such lovely things ? Let's hope for more delightful responses.

[lissyl78]

From Matthew Arnold's 'Self-dependence':           Resolve to be thyself; and know that he,                 Who finds himself, loses his misery.

From Rupert Brooke's 'Thoughts on the human body':                                                                Finger with finger wreathes; we love, and gape, Fantastic shape to mazed fantastic shape.

...and so many others! x

[Litchick]

"Give me my Romeo, and if he should die, take him and cut him out in little stars...and he will make the face of heaven so bright that all the world will be in love with night and pay no homage to the garish day..."

[lushkayt]

I have a whole poem, but it's the last two lines that I like best. It is Christina Rosstti's "Remember"

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

[mycatis]

"When you give each other everything, it becomes an even trade. Each wins all"
or
"Some prices are just too high, no matter how much you may want the prize. The one thing you can't trade for your heart's desire is your heart."
Both Lois McMaster Bujold

[LordyGeordie]

Saw this written somewhere and it filled my heart with joy.

"All beer half price while stocks last"

Brings tears to you eyes doesn't it

[quizzywig]

I agree with lushkayt, Christine Rossetti's words are great. I also like these few words spoken by Hamlet :

"there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy"

makes you think, eh?

[sophie_1003]

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow
 not sure of the title or who wrote it!

[derekpara]

Mycatis, are those quotes contradictory - or am I misunderstanding them ?  I know that I would have traded my heart for the  person 'of my heart's desire'.  Alas, it wasn't to be, and not a day has gone by in the last 43 years when I haven't thought of her.

[mycatis]

Hhhmm derekpara - good point, they are from different books, but I do think she is right, if you trade your heart (ie everything you are) what do have left to give your true love?

[derekpara]

Thanks, mycatis. This looks as if it could lead to an interesting literary discussion (reminds me of my OU days !) but we may be going off track a little. Thanks, and best wishes.