Alexander Pope ( 10 of 261 )
To be, contents his natural desire,
He asks no angel's wing, no seraph's fire;
But thinks, admitted read more
To be, contents his natural desire,
He asks no angel's wing, no seraph's fire;
But thinks, admitted to that equal sky,
His faithful dog shall bear him company.
Go wiser thou! and in thy scale of sense
Weigh thy opinion against Providence.
For fools admire, but me of sense approve.
For fools admire, but me of sense approve.
But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.
But Satan now is wiser than of yore,
And tempts by making rich, not making poor.
And bear about the mockery of woe
To midnight dances and the public show.
And bear about the mockery of woe
To midnight dances and the public show.
What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
Alas! not all the blood, of all the Howards.
What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
Alas! not all the blood, of all the Howards.
Constant at Church and 'Change; his gains were sure;
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
Constant at Church and 'Change; his gains were sure;
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land?
All fear, none aid you, and few understand.
Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land?
All fear, none aid you, and few understand.
Who pants for glory, finds but short repose;
A breath revives him, or a breath o'erthrows.
Who pants for glory, finds but short repose;
A breath revives him, or a breath o'erthrows.
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
Divert her eyes with pictures in the fire.
Divert her eyes with pictures in the fire.