Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1918 (1939), Preface to New Edition
“
The reader, turning the pages of this book, will find this note of valiancy—of the old Roman ‘virtue’ mated with cheerfulness—dominant throughout, if in many curious moods. He may trace it back, if he care, far behind Chaucer to the rudest beginnings of English Song. It Is indigenous, proper to our native spirit, and it will endure.
— Arthur Quiller-Couch on English literature
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The reader, turning the pages of this book, will find this note of valiancy—of the old Roman ‘virtue’ mated with cheerfulness—dominant throughout, if in many curious moods. He may trace it back, if he care, far behind Chaucer to the rudest beginnings of English Song. It Is indigenous, proper to our native spirit, and it will endure." in the context of "Arthur Quiller-Couch, The Oxford Book of English Verse, 1250–1918 (1939), Preface to New Edition" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "English literature" (Quotes)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Tags
About Arthur Quiller-Couch
Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch (21 November 1863 – 12 May 1944) was a Cornish writer, who published under the pen name of Q.
About Arthur Quiller-Couch
Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch (21 November 1863 – 12 May 1944) was a Cornish writer, who published under the pen name of Q.
View all quotes →