Alexander Pope

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

Not to go back is somewhat to advance, and men must walk, at least, before they dance.

Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?

Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?

Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust,
Yet cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust.

Destroy all creatures for thy sport or gust,
Yet cry, if man's unhappy, God's unjust.

The heart resolves this matter in a trice,
"Men only feel the smart, but not the vice."

The heart resolves this matter in a trice,
"Men only feel the smart, but not the vice."

He that fights and runs away,
Will live to fight another day;
For he that runs may read more

He that fights and runs away,
Will live to fight another day;
For he that runs may fight again,
Which he can never do that's slain.
Deeper to wound she shuns the fight;
She drops her arms, to gain the field:
Secures her conquest by her flight:
And triumphs when she seems to yield.