Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

Wouldst thou both eat thy cake and have it?

I die,--but first I have possess'd,
And come what may, I have been bless'd.

I die,--but first I have possess'd,
And come what may, I have been bless'd.

It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards,
that the sun never sets upon their read more

It may be said of them [the Hollanders], as of the Spaniards,
that the sun never sets upon their Dominions.

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich;
as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

That possession was the strongest tenure of the law.

That possession was the strongest tenure of the law.

Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
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Cleon hath ten thousand acres,--
Ne'er a one have I;
Cleon dwelleth in a place,--
In a cottage I.

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
read more

Ah, yet, e'er I descend to th' grave,
May I a small House and a large Garden have.
And a few Friends, and many Books both true,
Both wise, and both delightful too.
And since Love ne'er will from me flee,
A mistress moderately fair,
And good as Guardian angels are,
Only belov'd and loving me.

Aspiration sees only one side of every question; possession,
many.

Aspiration sees only one side of every question; possession,
many.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.

Possession means to sit astride the world
Instead of having it astride of you.