Alexander Pope ( 10 of 261 )
Th' unwilling gratitude of base mankind!
Th' unwilling gratitude of base mankind!
Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?
Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?
Good-nature and good-sense must ever join;
To err is human, to forgive, divine.
Good-nature and good-sense must ever join;
To err is human, to forgive, divine.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion conquers reason still.
The ruling passion, be it what it will,
The ruling passion conquers reason still.
Like Cato, give his little senate laws,
And sit attentive to his own applause.
Like Cato, give his little senate laws,
And sit attentive to his own applause.
Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit read more
Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit in pompous words express'd,
Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.
Thus unlamented pass the proud away,
The gaze of fools and pageant of a day;
So perish read more
Thus unlamented pass the proud away,
The gaze of fools and pageant of a day;
So perish all, whose breast ne'er learn'd to glow
For others' good, or melt at others' woe.
But see, the shepherds shun the noonday heat,
The lowing herds to murmuring brooks retreat,
To closer read more
But see, the shepherds shun the noonday heat,
The lowing herds to murmuring brooks retreat,
To closer shades the panting flocks remove;
Ye gods! and is there no relief for love?
Bring, bring the madding Bay, the drunken wine;
The creeping, dirty, courtly Ivy join.
Bring, bring the madding Bay, the drunken wine;
The creeping, dirty, courtly Ivy join.
One solid dish his week-day meal affords,
An added pudding solemniz'd the Lord's.
One solid dish his week-day meal affords,
An added pudding solemniz'd the Lord's.
