WIST Quotations

Winter, William -- Poem (1860-01-07), “Orgia: The Song of a Ruined Man,” st. 13ff New-York Saturday Press, Vol. 3 No. 1

Dave — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:19 +0000

For I know that Death is a guest divine,
Who shall drink my blood as I drink this wine.
And He cares for nothing! a King is He!
Come on, old fellow, and drink with me!
With you I will drink to the solemn Past, —
Though the cup that I drain should be my last.

William Winter (1836-1917) American dramatic critic and author
Poem (1860-01-07), “Orgia: The Song of a Ruined Man,” st. 13ff New-York Saturday Press, Vol. 3 No. 1
(Source)

Collected in his My Witness: A Book of Verse (1871)

Byron, George Gordon, Lord -- “To Thomas Moore,” st. 2. (1817)

Dave — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:32:17 +0000

Here’s a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And, whatever sky’s above me,
Here’s a heart for every fate.

George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788-1824) English poet
“To Thomas Moore,” st. 2. (1817)
(Source)

First published in The Traveller (1821-01-08).

Dickens, Charles -- A Christmas Carol, Stave 3 “The Second of the Three Spirits” (1843)

Dave — Tue, 22 Dec 2020 01:18:37 +0000

Then Bob proposed: “A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears. God bless us!” Which all the family re-echoed.

“God bless us every one!” said Tiny Tim, the last of all.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) English writer and social critic
A Christmas Carol, Stave 3 “The Second of the Three Spirits” (1843)

Malory, Thomas -- Le Morte d’Arthur, Book 8, ch. 24 (1485)

Dave — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:05:27 +0000

Then they laughed and made good cheer, and either drank to other freely, and they thought never drink that ever they drank to other was so sweet nor so good. But by that their drink was in their bodies, they loved either other so well that never their love departed, for weal neither for woe. And thus it happed the love first betwixt Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud, the which love never departed the days of their life.

Thomas Malory (c. 1415-1471) English writer
Le Morte d’Arthur, Book 8, ch. 24 (1485)
(Source)

Variant: "They both laughed and drank to each other; they had never tasted sweeter liquor in all their lives. And in that moment they fell so deeply in love that their hearts would never be divided. So the destiny of Tristram and Isolde was ordained." [ed. Ackroyd (2010)]

Newman, John -- Reply to Mr. Gladstone’s Pamphlet [Letter to the Duke of Norfolk], sec. 5 “Conscience” (1875)

Dave — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 17:42:49 +0000

Certainly, if I am obliged to bring religion in to after-dinner toasts, (which indeed does not seem quite the thing) I shall drink — to the Pope, if you please, — still, to Conscience first, and to the Pope afterwards.

John Henry Newman (1801-1890) English prelate, Catholic Cardinal, theologian
Reply to Mr. Gladstone’s Pamphlet [Letter to the Duke of Norfolk], sec. 5 “Conscience” (1875)
(Source)

~Proverbs and Sayings -- Irish proverb

Dave — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 13:55:56 +0000

May you live to be a hundred years,
With one extra year to repent.

Proverbs, Sayings, and Adages
Irish proverb

Adams, John Quincy -- Letter (1816-08-01) to John Adams

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

I cannot ask of Heaven success, even for my Country, in a Cause where she should be in the wrong — Fiat Justitia, pereat Coelum — My toast would be, may our Country be always successful, but whether successful or otherwise, always right.

John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) US President (1825-29)
Letter (1816-08-01) to John Adams
(Source)

In response to Stephen Decatur's toast (and subsequent popular catch phrase), "Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong."

The Latin translates as "Let justice be done though Heaven should fall."

Dickens, Charles -- Sketches by Boz, “Characters,” ch. 2 “A Christmas Dinner” (1833-36)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart. Our life on it, but your Christmas shall be merry, and your new year a happy one!

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) English writer and social critic
Sketches by Boz, “Characters,” ch. 2 “A Christmas Dinner” (1833-36)
(Source)