William Barnes

William Barnes (22 February 1801 – 7 October 1886) was an English writer, poet, minister, and philologist. He wrote over 800 poems, some in Dorset dialect and much other work, including a comprehensive English grammar quoting from more than 70 different languages.

Quotes

The beautiful in nature is the unmarred result of God's first creative or forming will

• The beautiful in nature is the unmarred result of God's first creative or forming will,and ..the beautiful in art is the result of an unmistaken working of man in accordance with the beautiful in nature.
  • Thoughts on Beauty in Art- Article in MacMillan's Magazine 1861.

• But no. Too soon I voun' my charm abroke.
  Noo comely soul in white like her—
  Noo soul a-steppen light like her—
  An' nwone o' comely height like her—
  Went by; but all my grief agean awoke.
  • The Wind at the Door, from Poets of the English Language, W. H. Auden and Norman Holmes Pearson (1950).

• Since I do miss your vaïce an’ feäce
   In praÿer at eventide,
  I’ll praÿ wi’ woone said vaïce vor greäce
   To goo where you do bide;
  • The Wife a-lost, from Poems of Rural Life in the Dorset Dialect (1879).

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