Alexander Pope

What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
Alas! not all the blood, of all the Howards.

What can ennoble sots, or slaves, or cowards?
Alas! not all the blood, of all the Howards.

Shall I, like Curtius, desperate in my zeal,
O'er head and ears plunge for the common weal?
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Shall I, like Curtius, desperate in my zeal,
O'er head and ears plunge for the common weal?
Or rob Rome's ancient geese of all their glories,
And cackling save the monarchies of Tories?

Say, will the falcon, stooping from above,
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove?
Admires the read more

Say, will the falcon, stooping from above,
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove?
Admires the jay the insect's gilded wings?
Or hears the hawk when Philomela sings?

Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;
If not, by any means get wealth and place.

Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;
If not, by any means get wealth and place.

Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How read more

Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How here he sipp'd, how there he plunder'd snug,
And suck'd all o'er like an industrious bug.