Alexander Pope

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.

Pleas'd to the last he crops the flowery food,
And licks the hand just rais'd to shed his blood.

Pleas'd to the last he crops the flowery food,
And licks the hand just rais'd to shed his blood.

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

Charm strikes the sight, but merit wins the soul.

Round broken columns clasping ivy twin'd.

Round broken columns clasping ivy twin'd.

In pride, in reas'ning pride, our error lies;
All quit their sphere and rush into the skies.
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In pride, in reas'ning pride, our error lies;
All quit their sphere and rush into the skies.
Pride still is aiming at the bless'd abodes,
Men would be angels, angels would be gods.