“I was never afraid of failure; for I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.”

“No sooner had I stepp'd into these pleasuresThan I began to think of rhymes and measures:The air that floated by me seem'd to say'Write! thou wilt never have a better day.”

“I am in that temper that if I were under water I would scarcely kick to come to the top.”

“I want a brighter word than bright”

“You cannot conceive how I ache to be with you: how I would die for one hour...”

“I wish I was either in your arms full of faith, or that a Thunder bolt would strike me.”

“I have met with women whom I really think would like to be married to a Poem and to be given away by a Novel.”