Samuel Butler ( 10 of 155 )
'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.
'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.
Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.
Honor is like a widow, won
With brisk attempt and putting on.
His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always read more
His fear was greater than his haste:
For fear, though fleeter than the wind,
Believes 'tis always left behind.
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).
Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).
For now the field is not far off
Where we must give the world a proof
Of read more
For now the field is not far off
Where we must give the world a proof
Of deeds, not words.
Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.
Still amorous, and fond, and billing,
Like Philip and Mary, on a shilling.
Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.
Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.
He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would read more
He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would lay forth
No more upon it than 'twas worth;
But as he got it freely, so
He spent it frank and freely too:
For saints themselves will sometimes be,
Of gifts that cost them nothing, free.
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was read more
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?--
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was prov'd true before
Prove false again? Two hundred more.
You have a wrong sow by the ear.
You have a wrong sow by the ear.
