 | The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe |  |
NIL ADMIRARI.
I.
When Horace in Vendusian grovesWas scribbling wit or sipping “Massic,”
Or singing those delicious loves
Which after ages reckon classic,
He wrote one day—'t was no vagary—
These famous words:—Nil admirari!
II.
“Wonder at nothing!” said the bard;A kingdom's fall, a nation's rising,
A lucky or a losing card,
Are really not at all surprising;
However men or manners vary,
Keep cool and calm; Nil admirari!
III.
If kindness meet a cold return;If friendship prove a dear delusion;
If love, neglected, cease to burn,
Or die untimely of profusion,—
Such lessons well may make us wary,
But need n't shock; Nil admirari!
IV.
Does disappointment follow gain?Or wealth elude the keen pursuer?
Does pleasure end in poignant pain?
Does fame disgust the lucky wooer,
Or haply prove perversely chary?
'T was ever thus; Nil admirari!
V.
Does January wed with May,Or ugliness consort with beauty?
Does Piety forget to pray?
And, heedless of connubial duty,
Leave faithful Ann for wanton Mary?
'T is the old tale; Nil admirari!
VI.
Ah! when the happy day we reachWhen promisers are ne'er deceivers;
When parsons practice what they preach,
And seeming saints are all believers,
Then the old maxim you may vary,
And say no more, Nil admirari!
| The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe | |