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Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works

in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller

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THE OLD GENTRY.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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THE OLD GENTRY.

I

That all from Adam first began,
None but ungodly Woolston doubts,
And that His son, and His son's son,
Were all but plowmen, clowns, and louts.

II

Each when his rustic pains began,
To merit pleaded equal right,
'Twas only who left Off at noon,
Or who went On to work till night.

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III

But coronets we owe to crowns,
And favour to a court's affection,
By nature we are Adam's sons,
And sons of Anstis by election.

IV

Kingsale, eight hundred years have roll'd,
Since thy forefathers held the plow,
When this shall be in story told,
Add, That my kindred do so now.

V

The man who by his labour gets
His bread, in independant state,
Who never begs, and seldom eats,
Himself can fix, or change his fate.