University of Virginia Library

[Duly, in turn, the wise man looks]

Duly, in turn, the wise man looks
At men, at nature, and at books.

[Our life is a ship at sea]

Our life is a ship at sea;
On an unknown voyage we.

[No one his country understands]

No one his country understands
Who has not lived in foreign lands.

[There's much a first look cannot give]

There's much a first look cannot give;
Yet that's the grand look while you live.

[You search: save one thing, all the world is nought.]

You search: save one thing, all the world is nought.
You find: how trivial is that thing you sought!

[Who cannot money save]

Who cannot money save
Must live and die a slave.

[“Take time to think”—so do: but this you'll find]

“ Take time to think”—so do: but this you'll find,
You can't hold time till you've made up your mind.

[Undutiful children get many a curse]

Undutiful children get many a curse;
There are more of undutiful parents, and worse.

[Against it are a thousand reasons,—one]

Against it are a thousand reasons,—one
For: 'tis the very thing that should be done!

[Young Inexperience misjudges, no doubt]

Young Inexperience misjudges, no doubt;
Old Suspicion is far more out.

[Life has enough of trouble]

Life has enough of trouble,
Which men contrive to double.

[Observe thy Dreams.]

Observe thy Dreams.
Why so?
To know
Thy inmost hopes and schemes.
True loves and hates
Appear
Most clear:
Thus Dreams foreshow men's fates.

[Liberality's much in vogue]

Liberality's much in vogue;
Toleration's the favourite plan;
But everything you give to a rogue
You take from an honest man.

[If we had neither church nor throne]

If we had neither church nor throne,
And no corn grown, nor roses blown,
We were in evil case, I own.

[One who can see without seeming to see,—]

One who can see without seeming to see,—
That's an observer as good as three.

[Look close at your bills; do you find no cheat?]

Look close at your bills; do you find no cheat?
Does the sauce, maybe, cost you more than the meat?

[When changes must be granted, 'tis the knowing Statesman's plan]

When changes must be granted, 'tis the knowing Statesman's plan
To let them seem as great, and be as little as he can.

[I never write from personal spite]

I never write from personal spite
So much as a single word.
When hot I feel, 'tis public zeal,—
Which may seem to you absurd.

[In greater things or less]

In greater things or less
Beware of Selfishness,
With every good at strife.
It makes one deaf and blind,
It ossifies the mind,
It kills the life of life.

[Herb Duty in life's common ground hath root]

Herb Duty in life's common ground hath root;
Joy its sweet flow'r, Content its wholesome fruit.

[“Fool's Parsley” is rank poison; learn to know]

“Fool's Parsley” is rank poison; learn to know
Fool's Duty too, which far and wide doth grow.

[If I could smile]

If I could smile
On the useful vile,
Proud ass and clever varlet,—
You, Madam World,
With red lip curl'd,
Would smile on me, you harlot!

[If successful thou wouldst be]

If successful thou wouldst be,
One thing avoid—Sincerity.

[Boldly praise; and some will hear thee.]

Boldly praise; and some will hear thee.
Boldly sting; and some will fear thee.
Wouldst thou thy opinion show?
'Tis what no one wants to know.

[Money matters not at twenty]

Money matters not at twenty;
But at fifty, best have plenty.

[O world, if I had known you long ago]

O world, if I had known you long ago,
Me you had scarcely had the chance to know!

[Dear Son, I say to you]

Dear Son, I say to you,
Learn much; say little; be true.

[How many things would be ridiculous]

How many things would be ridiculous
Were they not tragic. Be not our life thus.
Fate shall be Fate itself to conquer us.

A Wealthy Man.

All landscapes are his land;
His gold's in sky and sea;
Fair Idea his mistress,
Child of Eternity.