Charles Sumner: “Their light is gone Whose beam was borrowed: ever will Accident, Upon…”

On the record

Their light is gone Whose beam was borrowed: ever will Accident, Upon a day, the garment it hath lent Strip off,--make beggars of its kings anon.

Said by

Massachusetts

Source

Sumner reflects on the transient nature of power and the inevitability of downfall.

More from Charles Sumner

Women’s National League, petition of, for universal emancipation, X. 300.

Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.

His loyalty to the Declaration of Independence, XIX. 317.

Opening of United States courts to colored, XI. 389.

Other voices in this conversation

Charles Sumner: “Their light is gone Whose beam was borrowed: ever will Accident, Upon a day, the garment it hath lent Strip off,--make…”