Samuel Butler

Quoth Sidrophel, If you suppose,
Sir Knight, that I am one of those,
I might suspect, and read more

Quoth Sidrophel, If you suppose,
Sir Knight, that I am one of those,
I might suspect, and take th' alarm,
You bus'ness is but to inform;
But if it be, 'tis ne'er the near,
You have a wrong sow by the ear.

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd read more

Some have been beaten till they know
What wood a cudgel's of by th' blow:
Some kick'd until they can feel whether
A shoe be Spanish or neat's leather.

For trouts are tickled best in muddy water.

For trouts are tickled best in muddy water.

And bid the devil take the hin'most.

And bid the devil take the hin'most.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.