Point Shirley

Famous quotes containing the words point and/or shirley:

    By many a legendary tale of violence and wrong, as well as by events which have passed before their eyes, these people have been taught to look upon white men with abhorrence.... I can sympathize with the spirit which prompts the Typee warrior to guard all the passes to his valley with the point of his levelled spear, and, standing upon the beach, with his back turned upon his green home, to hold at bay the intruding European.
    Herman Melville (1819–1891)

    Victorious men of earth, no more
    Proclaim how wide your empires are;
    Though you bind in every shore
    And your triumphs reach as far
    As night or day,
    Yet you, proud monarchs, must obey
    And mingle with forgotten ashes, when
    Death calls ye to the crowd of common men.
    —James Shirley (1596–1666)