Will Carleton
Who don't know much excepting what's told them.
William McKendree Carleton (October 21, 1845 – December 18, 1912) was an American poet, who wrote mostly about rural life.
Quotes
[edit]- Over the hill to the poor-house I'm trudgin' my weary way.
- "Over the Hill to the Poor-house", in Harper's Weekly (June 17, 1871) p. 545, and reprinted in Farm Ballads (1874)
- Things at home are crossways, and Betsy and I are out.
- "Betsy and I Are Out", st. 1, in the Toledo Blade and Harper’s Weekly (c. 1871), reprinted in Farm Ballads (1874) and misattributed to the Irish William Carleton (1794–1869) in the Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 2nd ed. (1955) p. 125
- I have talked with Betsy, and Betsy has talked with me,
And so we've agreed together that we can't never agree.- "Betsy and I Are Out", st. 3
- Betsy, like all good women, had a temper of her own.
- "Betsy and I Are Out", st. 4
- The more we arg'ed the question the more we didn't agree.
- "Betsy and I Are Out", st. 5
- I don't complain of Betsy or any of her acts,
Exceptin' when we 've quarreled and told each other facts.- "Betsy and I Are Out", st. 18
- Not a log in this buildin' but its memories has got
And not a nail in this old floor but touches a tender spot.- "Out of the Old House, Nancy", st. 17, in Farm Ballads (1874)
- Fare you well, old house! you're naught that can feel or see,
But you seem like a human bein'—a dear old friend to me;
And we never will have a better home, if my opinion stands,
Until we commence a-keepin' house in the house not made with hands.- "Out of the Old House, Nancy", st. 20
- To appreciate heaven well
'Tis good for a man to have some fifteen minutes of hell.- "Gone with a Handsomer Man", in Farm Ballads (1874)
- There's lots of people—this town wouldn't hold them;
Who don't know much excepting what's told them.- "Travel", in City Ballads (1885)
