Sarah Williams (poet)

Sarah Williams (December 1837 – 25 April 1868) was an English poet and novelist, most famous as the author of the poem "The Old Astronomer". She published short works and one collection of poetry during her lifetime under the pseudonyms Sadie and S.A.D.I., the former of which she considered her name rather than a nom de plume. Her posthumously published second poetry collection and novel appeared under her given name.

Quotes

I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.
  • Is it so, O Christ in heaven, that the highest suffer most?
    That the strongest wander farthest, and more hopelessly are lost?
    That the mark of rank in nature is capacity for pain,
    And the anguish of the singer makes the sweetness of the strain? —
    "I have many things to tell you, but ye cannot bear them now."
    • "Is It So, O Christ in Heaven?", st. 3. Twilight Hours: A Legacy of Verse (London, 1868)
      Cf. John 16:12: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now."
  • Reach me down my Tycho Brahé, — I would know him when we meet,
    When I share my later science, sitting humbly at his feet.
    • "The Old Astronomer", st. 1. Twilight Hours (1868)
  • What, for us, are all distractions of men's fellowship and smiles?
    What, for us, the goddess Pleasure, with her meretricious wiles?
    • "The Old Astronomer", st. 3. Twilight Hours (1868)
  • Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light,
    I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night.
    • "The Old Astronomer", st. 4. Twilight Hours (1868)
      Variant: 'fondly' for 'truly', in The Best Loved Poems of the American People (Garden City, NY, 1936)
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