deserts

The greater cats with golden eyes Stare out between the bars. Deserts are there, and different skies, And night with different stars.

—Sackville-West,Vita (Victoria Mary)

The Europeans have scarcely visited any coast, but to gratify avarice, and extend corruption; to arrogate dominion without right, and practice cruelty without incentive† But there isreason to hope†that the light of the gospel will at last illuminate the sands of Africa, and the deserts of America, though its progress cannot but be slow when it is so much obstructed by the lives of Christians.

—Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

   In the deserts of the heart Let the healing fountain start, In the prison of his days Teach the free man how to praise.

—Auden,W(ystan) H(ugh)

My vegetable love should grow Vaster than empires, and more slow, An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes, and on thy forehead gaze. Two hundred to adore each breast: But thirty thousand to the rest. An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart. For Lady you deserve this state; Nor would I love at lower rate. But at my back I always hear Time's winged chariot hurrying near: And yonder all before us lie Deserts of vast eternity.

—Marvell, Andrew

   He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, That dares not put it to the touch, To gain or lose it all.

—Montrose,James Graham, 1st Marquis of

Story is just just deserts†man in the crucible like jack in the box.

—Elkin, Stanley Lawrence