The Satires of Dryden

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Macmillan & Company, 1905 - Poetry - 137 pages

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Page 8 - Of these the false Achitophel was first: A name to all succeeding ages cursed. For close designs, and crooked counsels fit; Sagacious, bold, and turbulent of wit: Restless, unfixed in principles and place; In power unpleased, impatient of disgrace. A fiery soul, which working out its way, Fretted the pigmy body to decay: And o'er informed the tenement of clay.
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 28 - To learning and to loyalty were bred : For colleges on bounteous kings depend, And never rebel was to arts a friend. To these succeed the pillars of the laws, Who best could plead, and best can judge a cause. Next them a train of loyal peers ascend ; Sharp-judging Adriel, the Muses...
Page 8 - 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 honour blest, Refuse his age the needful hours of rest?
Page 33 - Almighty nodding gave consent, And peals of thunder shook the firmament. Henceforth a series of new time began, The mighty years in long procession ran ; Once more the godlike David was restor'd, And willing nations knew their lawful lord.
Page 4 - Promiscuous use of concubine and bride, Then Israel's monarch after Heaven's own heart His vigorous warmth did variously impart To wives and slaves, and, wide as his command, Scattered his Maker's image through the land.
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 88 - Of his dominion may no end be known, And greater than his father's be his throne; Beyond love's kingdom let him stretch his penl" He paused, and all the people cried,
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 84 - All human things are subject to decay, And, when Fate summons, monarchs must obey: This Flecknoe found, who, like Augustus, young Was call'd to empire, and had govern'd long: In prose and verse, was own'd, without dispute Through all the realms of Non-sense, absolute. This aged prince now flourishing in peace, And blest with issue of a large increase, Worn out with business, did at length...

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