The Satires of Dryden

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Macmillan & Company, 1893 - Poetry - 137 pages

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Page 19 - A man so various that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome : Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong, Was everything by starts and nothing long; But in the course of one revolving moon Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon ; Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking.
Page 8 - Pleased with the danger, when the waves went high He sought the storms; but for a calm unfit, Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit. Great wits are sure to madness near allied. And thin partitions do their bounds divide; Else why should he, with wealth and honor blest.
Page 15 - I contemn, (But manly force becomes the diadem. 'Tis true he grants the people all they crave, And more perhaps than subjects ought to have: For lavish grants suppose a monarch tame And more his goodness than his wit proclaim. But when should people strive their bonds to break, If not when kings are negligent or weak...
Page 87 - And in his father's right and realm's defence, Ne'er to have peace with wit nor truce with sense. The king himself the sacred unction made, As king by office and as priest by trade. In his sinister hand, instead of ball, He placed a mighty mug of potent ale;
Page 9 - With public zeal to cancel private crimes : How safe is treason, and how sacred ill, Where none can sin against the people's will: Where crowds can wink ; and no offence be known, Since in another's guilt they find their own.
Page 6 - Nor interest made the factious crowd to join: The sober part of Israel, free from stain, Well knew the value of a peaceful reign; And looking backward with a wise affright Saw seams of wounds dishonest to the sight, In contemplation of whose ugly scars They cursed the memory of civil wars.
Page 19 - Beggar'd by fools, whom still he found too late: He had his jest, and they had his estate.
Page 8 - Of these the false Achitophel was first, A name to all succeeding ages curst : For close designs and crooked counsels fit, Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit...
Page 9 - In friendship false, implacable in hate, Resolved to ruin or to rule the state...
Page 32 - From plots and treasons heaven preserve my years, But save me most from my petitioners. Unsatiate as the barren womb or grave, God cannot grant so much as they can crave. What then is left, but with a jealous eye To guard the small remains of royalty?

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