Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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True Statesmen. |
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 | Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works |  |
331
True Statesmen.
True Statesmen only Love or Hate
What Lessens them, or makes them great.
With wond'rous kindness each Ascends,
Supported by his Shouldring Friends:
And fleering Criticks sometimes Note
His dirt imprinted on his Coat.
What Lessens them, or makes them great.
With wond'rous kindness each Ascends,
Supported by his Shouldring Friends:
And fleering Criticks sometimes Note
His dirt imprinted on his Coat.
Some Lords like Wife and Husband Squable
For this fine thing, for that blew bauble,
But soon the present folly ends
And common Intrest makes them Friends.
Whilst yet Erinnis rages high
And Paper Darts in Pamphlets fly
He whose hot head wou'd interpose
Is sure to have his share of blows
But in the reconciling feast
When all the bustle proves a Jest
Where matters are adjusted fairly,
And [OMITTED] sweetly kisses H*****y
The little Agents of the Plott
The understrappers are forgot
And if the Doctor uninvited
Afraid to fancy he was slighted
Comes in, his Labours he may spy
Fix'd to the bottom of a Pye
Or find how those reward his trouble
That light their Pipes with Dear T** D*****
For this fine thing, for that blew bauble,
But soon the present folly ends
And common Intrest makes them Friends.
Whilst yet Erinnis rages high
And Paper Darts in Pamphlets fly
He whose hot head wou'd interpose
Is sure to have his share of blows
But in the reconciling feast
When all the bustle proves a Jest
Where matters are adjusted fairly,
And [OMITTED] sweetly kisses H*****y
The little Agents of the Plott
The understrappers are forgot
And if the Doctor uninvited
Afraid to fancy he was slighted
Comes in, his Labours he may spy
Fix'd to the bottom of a Pye
Or find how those reward his trouble
That light their Pipes with Dear T** D*****
Be not the Bully of the Nation
Nor foam at mouth for Moderation
Take not thy Sentiments on trust
Nor be by others Notions just
To Church and Queen and Laws be hearty
But hate a Trick and scorn a Party
And if thou ever has't a voice
Tho it be only in the Choice
Of Vestry Men or grey-Coat-Boys
Vote right thô certain to be blam'd
And rather Starve than be asham'd
This Method I shou'd fancy best
You may think otherwise. I rest.
Nor foam at mouth for Moderation
Take not thy Sentiments on trust
Nor be by others Notions just
To Church and Queen and Laws be hearty
But hate a Trick and scorn a Party
And if thou ever has't a voice
Tho it be only in the Choice
Of Vestry Men or grey-Coat-Boys
332
And rather Starve than be asham'd
This Method I shou'd fancy best
You may think otherwise. I rest.
| Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works | |