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Thomas Chatterton Quotes

Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.

Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn in Revelation's side.

Thomas Chatterton
Men, Sides, Reason
Thomas Chatterton (1842). “The Poetical Works with Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory: I-II”, p.440

O, Winter! Put away thy snowy pride; O, Spring! Neglect the cowslip and the bell; O, Summer! Throw thy pears and plums aside; O, Autumn! Bid the grape with poison swell.

Thomas Chatterton
Summer, Spring, Autumn
Thomas Chatterton, George Gregory (1803). “The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems”, p.31

It is my PRIDE, my damned, native, unconquerable Pride, that plunges me into Distraction. You must know that 19 - 20th of my Composition is Pride. I must either live a Slave, a Servant; to have no Will of my own, no Sentiments of my own which I may freely declare as such; --or DIE --perplexing alternative!

Thomas Chatterton
Pride, Alternatives, Unconquerable Will

There is a time for all things - except marriage, my dear.

Thomas Chatterton
Love, Marriage, Dear God

The gatherd storme is rype; the bigge drops falle;The forswat meadowes smethe, and drenche the raine;The comyng ghastness do the cattle pall,And the full flockes are drivynge ore the plaine;Dashde from the cloudes the waters flott againe;The welkin opes; the yellow levynne flies;And the hot fierie smothe in the wide lowings dies.

Thomas Chatterton
Yellow, Water, Hot
Thomas Chatterton (1842). “Poetical Works: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters and Notes Critical and Explanatory”, p.141

Almighty Framer of the Skies!O let our pure devotion rise,Like Incense in thy Sight!Wrapt in impenetrable Shade,The Texture of our Souls were made,Till thy Command gave Light.

Thomas Chatterton
Sky, Light, Sight
Thomas Chatterton, Charles Bonnycastle Willcox (1842). “The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: Acknowledged poems. Chatterton's will. Miscellaneous prose works”, p.324

How shall we celebrate the day,When God appeared in mortal clay,The mark of worldly scorn;When the Archangel's heavenly Lays,Attempted the Redeemer's Praise,And hail'd Salvation's Morn!

Thomas Chatterton
Clay, Praise, Salvation
Thomas Chatterton, George Gregory (1803). “The Works of Thomas Chatterton ...: Life of Chatterton, by G. Gregory. Miscellaneous poems”, p.5

Haste to thie kiste, thie onlie dortoure bedde.Cale, as the claie whiche will gre on thie hedde,Is Charitie and Love aminge highe elves;Knightis and Barons live for pleasure and themselves.

Thomas Chatterton
And Love, Haste, Pleasure
Thomas Chatterton, Charles Bonnycastle Willcox (1842). “The Poetical Works of Thomas Chatterton: With Notices of His Life, History of the Rowley Controversy, a Selection of His Letters, and Notes Critical and Explanatory”, p.140

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