harp quotes

   I've played everything but the harp.

- Lionel Barrymore
Attributed, when asked to suggest his own epitaph.

Onthegreenbanks of Shannon, when Sheelahwasnigh, No blithe Irish lad was so happyas I; No harp like my own could so cheerily play, And wherever I went was my poor dogTray.

-Thomas Campbell
  'The Harper', stanza1.

The Minstrel-boy to the war isgone, In the ranks of death you'll find him; His father's sword he has girded on, And his wild harp slung behind him.

-Thomas Moore
  Irish Melodies,' The Minstrel-boy'.

The harp that once through Tara's halls The soul of music shed, Now hangs as mute onTara's walls As if that soul were fled.

-Thomas Moore
  Irish Melodies,'The Harp that once through Tara's Halls'.

The way was long, the wind was cold, The Minstrel was infirm and old; His withered cheek, and tresses grey, Seemed to have known a better day; The harp, his sole remaining joy, Was carried byan orphan boy, The last of all the Bards was he, Who sung of Border chivalry.

- Sir Walter Scott
  The Lay of the Last Minstrel, introduction.