Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

Proper names are poetry in the raw. Like all poetry they are untranslatable.

I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
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I have a passion for the name of "Mary,"
For once it was a magic sound to me,
And still it half calls up the realms of fairy,
Where I beheld what never was to be.

Who hath not own'd, with rapture-smitten frame,
The power of grace, the magic of a name.

Who hath not own'd, with rapture-smitten frame,
The power of grace, the magic of a name.

Some to the fascination of a name,
Surrender judgment hoodwinked.

Some to the fascination of a name,
Surrender judgment hoodwinked.

"Whose name was writ in water!" What large laughter
Among the immortals when that word was brought!
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"Whose name was writ in water!" What large laughter
Among the immortals when that word was brought!
Then when his fiery spirit rose flaming after,
High toward the topmost heaven of heavens up-caught!
"All hail! our younger brother!" Shakespeare said,
And Dante nodded his imperial head.

We call a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff.
[Lat., Ficum vocamus ficum, et scapham scapham.]

We call a fig a fig, and a skiff a skiff.
[Lat., Ficum vocamus ficum, et scapham scapham.]

Called me wessel, Sammy--a wessel of wrath.

Called me wessel, Sammy--a wessel of wrath.

You should never name an animal which is not yours to keep, or which you intend to eat.

You should never name an animal which is not yours to keep, or which you intend to eat.

The blackest ink of fate are sure my lot,
And when fate writ my name it made a blot.

The blackest ink of fate are sure my lot,
And when fate writ my name it made a blot.