“I have heard the key Turn in the door once and turn once only We think of the key, each in his prison Thinking of the key, each confirms a prison”

“Thinking of the key, each confirms a prison.”

“I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me.”

“If Hell is where nothing connects, then being in the field of English must be the key to heaven's door! We are in the business of finding connections--within texts, between texts and contexts, between texts and ourselves, between our readings and the readings of other interpreters.”

“Unreal friendship may turn to real But real friendship, once ended, cannot be mended”

“I grow old … I grow old … I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled. Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach? I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach. I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each. I do not think that they will sing to me. I have seen them riding seaward on the waves Combing the white hair of the waves blown back When the wind blows the water white and black. We have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown.”

“Gentile or JewO you who turn the wheel and look to windward,Consider Phlebas, who was once handsome and tall as you.”