Mary Howitt Quotes & Sayings

Yes, in the poor man's garden grow Far more than herbs and flowers - Kind thoughts, contentment, peace of mind, And Joy for weary hours. — Mary Howitt

When on the breath of Autumn's breeze, From pastures dry and brown, Goes floating, like an idle thought, The fair, white thistle-down; O, then what joy to walk at will, Upon the golden harvest-hill! — Mary Howitt

Buttercups and daisies,
Oh, the pretty flowers;
Coming ere the spring time,
To tell of sunny hours.
When the trees are leafless;
When the fields are bare;
Buttercups and daisies
Spring up here and there. — Mary Howitt

True delicacy, that most beautiful heart-leaf of humanity, exhibits itself most significantly in little things. — Mary Howitt

Roads are wet where'er one wendeth, And with rain the thistle bendeth, And the brook cries like a child! Not a rainbow shines to cheer us; Ah! the sun comes never near us, And the heavens look dark and wile. — Mary Howitt

Heart's ease! one could look for half a day Upon this flower, and shape in fancy out Full twenty different tales of love and sorrow, That gave this gentle name. — Mary Howitt

For visions come not to polluted eyes. — Mary Howitt

Will you walk into my parlour? said the Spider to the Fly — Mary Howitt

I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed! — Mary Howitt

Then take me on your knee, mother; And listen, mother of mine. A hundred fairies danced last night, And the harpers they were nine. — Mary Howitt

And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly. — Mary Howitt

He is happiest who hath power to gather wisdom from a flower. — Mary Howitt

Old England is our home, and Englishmen are we; Our tongue is known in every clime, our flag in every sea. — Mary Howitt

The wild sea roars and lashes the granite cliffs below,And round the misty islets the loud strong tempests blow. — Mary Howitt

I know he's coming by this sign, That baby's almost wild; See how he laughs and crows and starts - Heaven, bless the merry child! He's father's self in face and limb, And father's heart is strong in him. Shout, baby, shout! and clap thy hands, For father on the threshold stands. — Mary Howitt

God sends children for another purpose than merely to keep up the race
to enlarge our hearts, to make us unselfish, and full of kindly sympathies and affections. — Mary Howitt

To ask me is in vain;
For who goes up your winding stair
Can ne'er come down again. — Mary Howitt