Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

   Old Ulysses, back home and restless, calls his crew out for one more voyage. These four verbs are his creed. Keep reaching, keep looking, and do not give in.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

2. Though much is taken, much abides.

   Ulysses admits he has lost strength and friends. He refuses to count only the losses. Look at what remains and use it.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

3. Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will.

   The body ages and luck turns, but will is the last thing to go. Tennyson's sailors are old and still heading out. Let your will be stronger than your circumstances.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

4. That which we are, we are.

   Ulysses does not pretend to be young again. He accepts exactly what he and his men have become, and sails anyway. Start from what you are, not from what you were.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

5. How dull it is to pause, to rust unburnished, not to shine in use.

   A sword left on the wall rusts; one in use stays bright. Ulysses would rather wear out than sit still. Keep using your body and mind, or they dull.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

6. I am a part of all that I have met.

   Every place, person and fight has left something in Ulysses. You are built from what you have lived. Go meet more of the world.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

7. 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.

   As the light fades, Ulysses says it is still not too late. Age and past choices do not end the search. Push off.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

8. My purpose holds to sail beyond the sunset.

   The old captain's plan is to keep sailing west until he dies. A purpose that holds is better than a comfortable harbor. Keep your heading.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

9. I will drink life to the lees.

   Lees are the dregs at the bottom of the cup. Ulysses means to finish life to the last drop, joy and suffering both. Do not leave any of it in the glass.

   "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

10. Some work of noble note may yet be done.

    Death ends everything, Ulysses says, but not yet. There is still time for one more thing worth doing. Find it and do it.

    "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

11. He works his work, I mine.

    Ulysses hands the kingdom to his steady son and goes to sea. Each has a different calling and he respects both. Do your own work without needing everyone to do it your way.

    "Ulysses" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

12. Self-reverence, self-knowledge, self-control.

    In the poem the goddess Pallas offers these three instead of riches or pleasure. Respect yourself, know yourself, rule yourself. That is the only power that lasts.

    "Oenone" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)

13. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

    Tennyson wrote this grieving his closest friend. Even with the pain, the love was worth it. Do not guard your heart so well that nothing gets in.

    "In Memoriam A. H. H." XXVII (1850), Original English (In Memoriam, Gutenberg text)

14. There lives more faith in honest doubt than in half the creeds.

    Wrestling honestly with hard questions is more alive than reciting answers. The man in the poem fought his doubts and gathered strength. Do not fear the questions.

    "In Memoriam A. H. H." XCVI (1850), Original English (In Memoriam, Gutenberg text)

15. Ring out the old, ring in the new.

    Tennyson's New Year bells ring out grief and false pride and ring in something better. Every turning point is a chance to drop what no longer serves you. Choose what you leave behind.

    "In Memoriam A. H. H." CVI (1850), Original English (In Memoriam, Gutenberg text)

16. The old order changeth, yielding place to new.

    The dying King Arthur tells his last knight not to despair: even good customs must give way. Change is how the world stays alive. Let go of the old with thanks and meet the new.

    "Morte d'Arthur" (Poems, 1842), Original English (The Early Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson, Gutenberg text)