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Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford Quotes

A gush of bird song, a patter of dew A cloud and a rainbow's warning; Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue An April day in the morning!

A gush of bird song, a patter of dew A cloud and a rainbow's warning; Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue An April day in the morning!

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Song, Morning, Spring
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1882). “Poems”

If a woman is not fit to manage the internal matters of a house, she is fit for nothing, and should never be put in a house or over a house, any way. Good housekeeping lies at he root of all the real ease and satisfaction in existence.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Real, Lying, Roots

The winds were warm about us, the whole earth seemed the wealthier for our love.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Love, Wind, Earth
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford, Alfred Bendixen (1989). “The Amber Gods, and Other Stories”, p.76, Rutgers University Press

Since the foundation of the world man has had nearly all the forces on his side, working with him and for him; his intellect has been stimulated, while that of woman has been abased; he has had the run of the world and all quickening and brightening things, while she has sat in the cinders, and until of late been illumined only by his reflected light.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Running, Men, Light
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1881). “The Servant Girl Question”

When we hold it (amber) in our hands, we hold also that furious epoch where rioted all monsters and poisons, where death fecundated and life destroyed, where superabundance demanded such existences, no souls, but fiercest animal fire - just for that I hate it!

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Hate, Animal, Fire
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford, Alfred Bendixen (1989). “The Amber Gods, and Other Stories”, p.56, Rutgers University Press

A full moon is poison to some; they shut it out at every crevice, and do not suffer a ray to cross them; it has a chemical or magical effect; it sickens them. But I am never more free and royal than when the subtile celerity of its magic combinations, whatever they are, is at work.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Moon, Magic, Suffering
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford, Alfred Bendixen (1989). “The Amber Gods, and Other Stories”, p.67, Rutgers University Press

I am the one rich thing that morn Leaves for the ardent noon to win; Grasp me not, I have a thorn, But bend and take my being in.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Winning, Rose, Noon
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1882). “Poems”

Under the snowdrifts the blossoms are sleeping, Dreaming their dreams of sunshine and June, Down in the hush of their quiet they're keeping Trills from the throstle's wild summer-sung tune.

Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford
Summer, Dream, Sleep
Harriet Elizabeth Prescott Spofford (1882). “Poems”

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