Lord Alfred Tennyson

. . . but while
I breathe Heaven's air, and Heaven looks down on me,
And smiles read more

. . . but while
I breathe Heaven's air, and Heaven looks down on me,
And smiles at my best meanings, I remain
Mistress of mine own self and mine own soul.

Flattery brings friends, but the truth begets enmity.

Flattery brings friends, but the truth begets enmity.

For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother, I'm to be Queen o' the
May.

For I'm to be Queen o' the May, mother, I'm to be Queen o' the
May.

'Tis gone: a thousand such have slipt
Away from my embraces:
And fallen into the dusty crypt
read more

'Tis gone: a thousand such have slipt
Away from my embraces:
And fallen into the dusty crypt
Of darken'd forms and faces.

Like Hezekiah's, backward runs
The shadow of my days.

Like Hezekiah's, backward runs
The shadow of my days.