Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of read more

Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains.
'Tis the same with common natures,
Use 'em kindly, they rebel;
But, be rough as nutmeg-graters,
And the rogues obey you well.

The noise is greater then the nuts.

The noise is greater then the nuts.

Deliberate before you begin; but, having carefully done so,
execute with vigour.

Deliberate before you begin; but, having carefully done so,
execute with vigour.

Alas, by what trivial causes is greatness overthrown!

Alas, by what trivial causes is greatness overthrown!

He that is fallen cannot helpe him that is downe.

He that is fallen cannot helpe him that is downe.

He that will not have peace, God gives him warre.

He that will not have peace, God gives him warre.

Blest tears of soul-felt penitence!
In whose benign, redeeming flow
Is felt the first, the only sense
read more

Blest tears of soul-felt penitence!
In whose benign, redeeming flow
Is felt the first, the only sense
Of guiltless joy that guilt can know.

A diligent Scholer, and the Master's paid.

A diligent Scholer, and the Master's paid.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.