When silver sticks not on the Teller’s fingers,

When sycophants can find no place in Court, ...

When Laïs lives not like a lady’s peer

Nor useth art in dyeing of her hair....

George Gascoigne (1525?-1577) (The Steele Glas).

All our life is a meeting of cross-roads, where the choice of directions is perilous.

Victor Hugo.

Rose-cheeked Laura, come;