Man on the dubious waves of error toss’d.
How fleet is a glance of the mind! Compared with the speed of its flight, The tempest itself lags behind, And the swift-winged arrows of light.
Though peace be made, yet it’s interest that keep peace.
How various his employments whom the world Calls idle; and who justly in return Esteems that busy world an idler too!
The man that dares traduce, because he can with safety to himself, is not a man.
The still small voice is wanted.
Unmissed but by his dogs and by his groom.
Oh winter, king of fire side enjoyments, home born happiness.
With spots quadrangular of diamond form, ensanguined hearts, clubs typical of strife, and spades, the emblems of untimely graves.
Just knows, and knows no more, her Bible true,- A truth the brilliant Frenchman never knew.
Ages elapsed ere Homer’s lamp appear’d, And ages ere the Mantuan swan was heard: To carry nature lengths unknown before, To give a Milton birth, ask’d ages more.
But truths on which depends our main concern, That ’tis our shame and misery not to learn, Shine by the side of every path we tread With such a lustre he that runs may read.
Strange as it may seem, the most ludicrous lines I ever wrote have been written in the saddest mood.
But conversation, choose what theme we may, And chiefly when religion leads the way, Should flow, like waters after summer show’rs, Not as if raised by mere mechanic powers.
Great contest follows, and much learned dust Involves the combatants; each claiming truth, And truth disclaiming both.
Give what thou canst, without Thee we are poor; And with Thee rich, take what Thou wilt away.
The only amarantine flower on earth Is virtue.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight; Prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright; And Satan trembles when he sees The weakest saint upon his knees.
Thieves at home must hang; but he that puts Into his overgorged and bloated purse The wealth of Indian provinces, escapes.
But many a crime deemed innocent on earth Is registered in Heaven; and these no doubt Have each their record, with a curse annex’d.