We forget cruelty and past betrayal, Heedless of where the next bright bolt may fall.
ROBERT GRAVES
ROBERT GRAVES
More Robert Graves quotes
So when I’m killed, don’t wait for me, Walking the dim corridor; In Heaven or Hell, don’t wait for me, Or you must wait for evermore. You’ll find me buried, living-dead In these verses that you’ve read.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Before an attack, the platoon pools all its available cash and the survivors divide it up afterwards. Those who are killed can’t complain, the wounded would have given far more than that to escape as they have, and the unwounded regard the money as a consolation prize for still being here.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Since the age of 15 poetry has been my ruling passion and I have never intentionally undertaken any task or formed any relationship that seemed inconsistent with poetic principles; which has sometimes won me the reputation of an eccentric.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Children born of fairy stock Never need for shirt or frock, Never want for food or fire, Always get their heart’s desire.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Truth-loving Persians do not dwell upon The trivial skirmish fought near Marathon.
Robert GravesRobert Graves She tells her love while half asleep, In the dark hours, With half-words whispered low: As Earth stirs in her winter sleep And puts out grass and flowers Despite the snow, Despite the falling snow.
Robert GravesRobert Graves The gas-cylinders had by this time been put into position on the front line. A special order came round imposing severe penalties on anyone who used any word but “accessory” in speaking of the gas. This was to keep it secret, but the French civilians knew all about the scheme long before this.
Robert GravesRobert Graves If I were a girl, I’d despair. The supply of good women far exceeds that of the men who deserve them.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Take your delight in momentariness, Walk between dark and dark a shining space With the grave ‘s narrowness, though not its peace.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Patriotism, in the trenches, was too remote a sentiment, and at once rejected as fit only for civilians, or prisoners. A new arrival who talked patriotism would soon be told to cut it out.
Robert GravesRobert Graves Love without hope, as when the young bird-catcher Swept off his tall hat to the Squire’s own daughter, So let the imprisoned larks escape and fly Singing about her head, as she rode by.
Robert GravesRobert Graves In love as in sport, the amateur status must be strictly maintained.
Robert GravesRobert Graves You mean that people who continue virtuous in an old-fashioned way must inevitably suffer in times like these?
Robert GravesRobert Graves Love at first sight’some say misnaming Discovery of twinned helplessness Against the huge tug of procreation. But friendship at first sight? This also Catches fiercely at the surprised heart So that the cheek blanches then blushes.
Robert GravesRobert Graves The gift of independence once granted cannot be lightly taken away again.
Robert GravesRobert Graves There’s a cool web of language winds us in, Retreat from too much joy or too much fear: We grow sea-green at last and coldly die In brininess and volubility.
Robert GravesRobert Graves