The House of Rimmon quotes
The lines readers remember from The House of Rimmon, by Henry van Dyke Jr..
19 quotes · About the book
Standout lines
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: How many things they know and never tell!
Show the passage
The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed, And nothing wakes except the watchful stars!
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: How many things they know and never tell!
Impatiently. Unlike the stars, how many things you tell And do not know! When comes your master home?
A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o’ wind.
Show the passage
Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But what is a statesman?
A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o’ wind.
And what is a politician?
A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he always lies.
Show the passage
And what is a politician?
A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he always lies.
Why do you call me a patriot?
Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Show the passage
I trust he sleeps; ’twere kind to let him sleep! For now he doth forget his misery, And all the burden of his hopeless woe Is lifted from him by the gentle hand Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope
Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be Full long for him to suffer, and for us To turn our disappointed faces home On the long road by which we must return.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God!
Show the passage
Oh, to those bereft of hope Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God!
Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be Full long for him to suffer, and for us To turn our disappointed faces home On the long road by which we must return.
Whatever game is played, the gods never lose.
Show the passage
What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and tells his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of himself.
Whatever game is played, the gods never lose.
But for the protection, of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred images between here and Babylon.
All quotes
Jump to a chapter
Act I, Scene I
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: How many things they know and never tell!
Show the passage
The flowers are nodding, all the birds abed, And nothing wakes except the watchful stars!
The stars are sentinels discreet and mute: How many things they know and never tell!
Impatiently. Unlike the stars, how many things you tell And do not know! When comes your master home?
Unlike the stars, how many things you tell And do not know!
Show the passage
Impatiently.
Unlike the stars, how many things you tell And do not know!
When comes your master home?
Next? That’s too low! I will be first or nothing.
Show the passage
He stands apart From me, ev’n while he holds me in his arms, By something that I cannot understand, Nor supple to my will, nor melt with tears, Nor quite dissolve with blandishments, although He swears he loves his wife next to his honour!
Next? That’s too low! I will be first or nothing.
With me you are the first, the absolute! When you and I have triumphed you shall reign; And you and I will bring this hero down.
The gods can bless Whatever they decree; their will makes right;
Show the passage
I? I do not think; I only do my part. But can the gods bless this?
The gods can bless Whatever they decree; their will makes right;
And this is for the glory of the house Of Rimmon—and for thee, my queen. Come, come! The night grows dark: we’ll perfect our alliance.
Act I, Scene II
A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o’ wind.
Show the passage
Am I a statesman? I felt something of the kind about me. But what is a statesman?
A politician that is stuffed with big words; a fat man in a mask; one that plays a solemn tune on a sackbut full o’ wind.
And what is a politician?
A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he always lies.
Show the passage
And what is a politician?
A statesman that has dropped his mask and cracked his sackbut. Men trust him for what he is, and he never deceives them, because he always lies.
Why do you call me a patriot?
You feel for the common people—as the wolf feels for the sheep.
Show the passage
Because you know what is good for you; you love your country as you love your pelf.
You feel for the common people—as the wolf feels for the sheep.
A fool, master, just a plain fool; and there is hope of thee for that reason. Embrace me, brother, and taste this; but not too much—it will intoxicate thee with sobriety.
There is no peace beneath a conqueror’s yoke, My King, but shame and heaviness of heart!
Show the passage
Starting forward eagerly.
There is no peace beneath a conqueror’s yoke, My King, but shame and heaviness of heart!
For every state that barters liberty To win imperial favour, shall be drained Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars To make the empire greater. Here’s the choice:
For every state that barters liberty To win imperial favour, shall be drained Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars To make the empire greater.
Show the passage
Starting forward eagerly. There is no peace beneath a conqueror’s yoke, My King, but shame and heaviness of heart!
For every state that barters liberty To win imperial favour, shall be drained Of her best blood, henceforth, in endless wars To make the empire greater.
Here’s the choice: We fight today to keep our country free, Or else we fight forevermore to help Assyria bind the world as we are bound. I am a soldier, and I know the hell Of war!
Act II
I do begin to think there is a God, Since love on earth can work such miracles!
Show the passage
Kissing the clasp of the girdle.
I do begin to think there is a God, Since love on earth can work such miracles!
Act III, Scene I
Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Show the passage
I trust he sleeps; ’twere kind to let him sleep! For now he doth forget his misery, And all the burden of his hopeless woe Is lifted from him by the gentle hand Of slumber. Oh, to those bereft of hope
Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God! Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be Full long for him to suffer, and for us To turn our disappointed faces home On the long road by which we must return.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God!
Show the passage
Oh, to those bereft of hope Sleep is the only blessing left—the last Asylum of the weary, the one sign Of pity from impenetrable heaven.
Waking is strife: sleep is the truce of God!
Ah, lady, wake him not. The day will be Full long for him to suffer, and for us To turn our disappointed faces home On the long road by which we must return.
A name is but an empty shell, a mask That does not change the features of the face Beneath it.
Show the passage
Her name? Why, what is that?
A name is but an empty shell, a mask That does not change the features of the face Beneath it.
Can a name rejoice, or weep, Or hope? Can it be moved by tenderness To daily services of love, or feel the warmth Of dear companionship? How many things We call by names that have no meaning: kings That cannot rule;
Act III, Scene II
Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague.
Show the passage
Interrupting. As thy soul liveth I will not receive A gift from thee, my son! Give all to Him
Whose mercy hath redeemed thee from thy plague.
He is the only God! I worship Him! Grant me a portion of the blessed soil Of this most favoured land where I have found His mercy; in Damascus will I build An altar to His name, and praise Him there Morning and night.
God’s altar is in every loyal heart, And every flame of love that kindles there Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise.
Show the passage
Thou needest not This load of earth to build a shrine for Him; Yet take it if thou wilt. But be assured
God’s altar is in every loyal heart, And every flame of love that kindles there Ascends to Him and brightens with His praise.
There is no other God! But evil Powers Make war against Him in the darkened world; And many temples have been built to them.
Act IV, Scene II
Whatever game is played, the gods never lose.
Show the passage
What? The mighty one who hides behind the curtain there, and tells his secrets to Rezon? No doubt he will take care of you, and of himself.
Whatever game is played, the gods never lose.
But for the protection, of the common people and the rest of us fools, I would rather have Naaman at the head of an army than all the sacred images between here and Babylon.
Rimmon made us all; but nobody knows who made Rimmon, except the High Priest; and he will never tell.
Show the passage
Bitterly. How can he punish me? Has he not already made me a fool? Hark, here comes my brother the High Priest, and my brother the King.
Rimmon made us all; but nobody knows who made Rimmon, except the High Priest; and he will never tell.
Gongs and cymbals sound. Enter Rezon with priests, and the King with courtiers. They take their seats. A throng of Khali and Kharimati come in, Tsarpi presiding; a sacred dance is performed with torches, burning incense, and chanting, in which Tsarpi leads.
She is God’s remedy for loneliness, And God’s reward for all the toil of life.
Show the passage
The vows were empty—never made you mine In aught but name. A wife is one who shares Her husband’s thought, incorporates his heart With hers by love, and crowns him with her trust.
She is God’s remedy for loneliness, And God’s reward for all the toil of life.
This you have never been to me—and so I give you back again to Rimmon’s House Where you belong. Claim what you will of mine— Not me! I do renounce you—or release you— According to the law.
Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers Of hate and falsehood never shall divide.
Show the passage
There is no God but one, the Merciful, Who gave this perfect woman to my soul That I might learn through her to worship Him, And know the meaning of immortal Love.
Whom God hath joined together, all the Powers Of hate and falsehood never shall divide.
Agitated. Yet she is consecrated, bound, and doomed To sacrificial death; but thou art sworn To live and lead my host—Hast thou not sworn?
Read The House of Rimmon free
The whole book is free in Doomreader, as short posts you scroll like a feed, with your place kept. Or download the EPUB.