John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
MDonald Clarke 1798-1842 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| Whilst twilight’s curtain spreading far, Was pinned with a single star. 1 |
| Death in Disguise. Line 227. (Boston edition, 1833.) |
| 2 |
| Ha! see where the wild-blazing Grog-shop appears, As the red waves of wretchedness swell; How it burns on the edge of tempestuous years— The horrible Light-house of Hell! |
| The Rum-hole. |
| Note 1. Variant: While twilight’s curtain gathering far Is pinned with a single diamond star. Mrs. Child says: “He thus describes the closing day:— ‘Now twilight lets her curtain down, And pins it with a star.’” See Hood: Dream of Eugene Aram. “And drew my midnight curtain with fingers bloody red.” Cf. W. R. Alger, The Use of the Moon. The moon is a silver pinhead vast That holds the heavens tent-hangings fast. [back] |