Alexander Pope ( 10 of 261 )
Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Be not the first by whom the new are tried,
Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray,
With joyous musick wake the dawning day.
Hear how the birds, on ev'ry blooming spray,
With joyous musick wake the dawning day.
To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!
To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!
Wretches hang that jurymen may dine.
Wretches hang that jurymen may dine.
How shall I lose the sin yet keep the sense,
And love th' offender, yet detest the offence?
How shall I lose the sin yet keep the sense,
And love th' offender, yet detest the offence?
As man, perhaps, the moment of his breath,
Receives the lurking principle of death,
The younger disease, read more
As man, perhaps, the moment of his breath,
Receives the lurking principle of death,
The younger disease, that must subdue at length,
Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength.
Our rural ancestors with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulg'd the day read more
Our rural ancestors with little blest,
Patient of labour when the end was rest,
Indulg'd the day that hous'd their annual grain,
With feasts, and off'rings, and a thankful strain.
And not a vanity is given in vain.
And not a vanity is given in vain.
Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when prest,
Stays till read more
Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when prest,
Stays till we call, and then not often near.
Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.
Satan is wiser now than before, and tempts by making rich instead of poor.
