John Milton

The bird of Jove, stoop'd from his aery tour,
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove.

The bird of Jove, stoop'd from his aery tour,
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove.

Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still
air of delightful studies.

Beholding the bright countenance of truth in the quiet and still
air of delightful studies.

But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
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But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels.

Far from all resort of mirth, / Save the cricket on the hearth!

Far from all resort of mirth, / Save the cricket on the hearth!

Mirth, admit me of thy crew,
To live with her, and live with thee,
In unreprov'd pleasures read more

Mirth, admit me of thy crew,
To live with her, and live with thee,
In unreprov'd pleasures free.