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He Is Not DeadI cannot say, and I will not say That he is dead. He is just away. With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand, He has wandered into an unknown land And left us dreaming how very fair It needs must be, since he lingers there. And you–oh you, who the wildest yearn For an old-time step, and the glad return, Think of him faring on, as dear In the love of There as the love of Here.Think of him still as the same. I say, He is not dead–he is just away.James Whitcomb Riley
2
A Parting GuestWhat delightful hosts are they– Life and Love! Lingeringly I turn away, This late hour, yet glad enough They have not withheld from me Their high hospitality. So, with face lit with delight And all gratitude, I stay Yet to press their hands and say, Thanks.– So fine a time! Good night.James Whitcomb Riley
3
It is no use to grumble and complain It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice When God sorts out the weather and sends rain- Why rain's my choice.James Whitcomb Riley
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O it sets my heart a clickin' like the tickin' of a clock When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.James Whitcomb Riley
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And he shall reign a goodly king And sway his hand o'er every clime With peace writ on his signet ring Who bides his time.James Whitcomb Riley
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Who bides his time tastes the sweet Of honey in the saltiest tear And though he fares with slowest feet Joy runs to meet him drawing near.James Whitcomb Riley
7
As one who cons at evening o'er an album all alone And muses on the faces of the friends that he has known So I turn the leaves of Fancy till in shadowy design I find the smiling features of an old sweetheart of mine.James Whitcomb Riley
8
To make the world a friendly place one must show it a friendly face.James Whitcomb Riley
9
When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.James Whitcomb Riley
10
When you awaken some morning and hear that somebody or other has been discovered, you can put it down as a fact that he discovered himself years ago - since that time he has been toiling, working, and striving to make himself worthy of general discovery.James Whitcomb Riley
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The anger of a person who is strong, can always bide its time.James Whitcomb Riley