Robert Blair

Scottish writer (1699-1746)

Robert Blair (16994 February 1746) was a Scottish poet.

Quotes

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The Grave (1743)

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  • The Grave, dread thing!
    Men shiver when thou 'rt named: Nature, appall'd,
    Shakes off her wonted firmness.
    • Part I, line 9.
  • The Schoolboy, with his satchel in his hand,
    Whistling aloud to bear his courage up.
    • Part I, line 58. Compare: "Whistling to keep myself from being afraid", John Dryden, Amphitryon Act iii, scene 1.
  • Friendship! mysterious cement of the soul!
    Sweetener of life! and solder of society!
    • Part I, line 88.
  • Of joys departed,
    Not to return, how painful the remembrance!
    • Part I, line 109.
  • But if there be an hereafter,
    And that there is, conscience, uninfluenc'd
    And suffer'd to speak out, tells every man,
    Then must it be an awful thing to die;
    More horrid yet to die by one's own hand.
    • Part I, line 398.
  • Our time is fixed, and all our days are number'd;
    How long, how short, we know not:—this we know,
    Duty requires we calmly wait the summons,
    Nor dare to stir till Heaven shall give permission.
    • Part I, line 417.
  • The cup goes round:
    And who so artful as to put it by!
    'T is long since Death had the majority.
    • Part II, line 449.
  • The good he scorn'd
    Stalk'd off reluctant, like an ill-used ghost,
    Not to return; or if it did, in visits
    Like those of angels, short and far between.
    • Part II, line 586. Compare: "Like angels’ visits, short and bright", John Norris, The Parting.
  • The common damn'd shun their society.
    • Referring to suicides in Hell. Attributed to Lamb, but not found in his works.
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