Sir Walter Scott

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Sands, 1901 - Authors, Scottish - 304 pages
 

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Page 249 - — -he whistled shrill And he was answered from the hill ; Wild as the scream of the curlew, From crag to crag the signal flew.
Page 260 - I had nourished the ambitious desire of composing a tale of chivalry, which was to be in the style of the Castle of Otranto, with plenty of Border characters, and supernatural incident.
Page 107 - He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, Who dares not put it to the touch, To gain or lose it all.
Page 277 - I have repeatedly laid down my future work to scale, divided it into volumes and chapters, and endeavoured to construct a story which I meant should evolve itself gradually and strikingly, maintain suspense, and stimulate curiosity; and which, finally, should terminate in a striking catastrophe.
Page 13 - I last night supped in Mr Walter Scott's. He has the most extraordinary genius of a boy I ever saw. He was reading a poem to his mother when I went in. I made him read on : it was the description of a shipwreck. His passion rose with the storm. He lifted his eyes and hands. 'There's the mast gone,' says he; 'crash it goes ! — they will all perish ! ' After his agitation, he turns to me. 'That is too melancholy,' says he; 'I had better read you something more amusing.
Page 205 - no repose for Sir Walter but in the grave." The tears again rushed from his eyes. "Friends," said he, "don't let me expose myself — get me to bed — that's the only place.
Page 240 - For me, thus nurtured, dost thou ask The classic poet's well-conn'd task ? Nay, Erskine, nay, — on the wild hill Let the wild heath-bell flourish still ; Cherish the tulip, prune the vine, But freely let the woodbine twine, And leave untrimm'd the eglantine...
Page 11 - Of witches' spells, of warriors' arms; Of patriot battles won of old By Wallace wight and Bruce the bold ; Of later fields of feud and fight, When pouring from the Highland height, The Scottish clans, in headlong sway, Had swept the scarlet ranks away.
Page 48 - Until they won her; for indeed I knew Of no more subtle master under heaven Than is the maiden passion for a maid, Not only to keep down the base in man, 480 But teach high thought, and amiable words And courtliness, and the desire of fame, And love of truth, and all that makes a man.
Page 206 - .I may have but a minute to speak to you. My dear, be a good man — be virtuous — be religions — be a good man. Nothing else will give you any comfort when you come to lie here.

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