John Dryden

Ay, these look like the workmanship of heaven;
This is the porcelain clay of human kind,
And read more

Ay, these look like the workmanship of heaven;
This is the porcelain clay of human kind,
And therefore cast into these noble moulds.

Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit,
The power of beauty I remember yet,
Which once read more

Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit,
The power of beauty I remember yet,
Which once inflam'd my soul, and still inspires my wit.

According to her cloth she cut her coat.

According to her cloth she cut her coat.

Thespis, the first professor of our art,
At country wakes snug ballads from a cart.

Thespis, the first professor of our art,
At country wakes snug ballads from a cart.

Damn'd neuters, in their middle way of steering,
Are neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring.

Damn'd neuters, in their middle way of steering,
Are neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring.