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142
[Duly, in turn, the wise man looks]
Duly, in turn, the wise man looksAt 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 understandsWho 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!
143
[Who cannot money save]
Who cannot money saveMust 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,—oneFor: '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.
144
[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.
145
[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 planTo let them seem as great, and be as little as he can.
[I never write from personal spite]
I never write from personal spiteSo 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 lessBeware of Selfishness,
With every good at strife.
It makes one deaf and blind,
It ossifies the mind,
It kills the life of life.
146
[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 knowFool's Duty too, which far and wide doth grow.
[If I could smile]
If I could smileOn 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.
147
[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 ridiculousWere 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.
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