Charles Churchill

Constant attention wears the active mind,
Blots out our pow'rs, and leaves a blank behind.

Constant attention wears the active mind,
Blots out our pow'rs, and leaves a blank behind.

Matrons, who toss the cup, and see
The grounds of fate in grounds of tea.

Matrons, who toss the cup, and see
The grounds of fate in grounds of tea.

The oak, when living, monarch of the wood;
The English oak, which, dead, commands the flood.

The oak, when living, monarch of the wood;
The English oak, which, dead, commands the flood.

Fool beckons fool, and dunce awakens dunce.

Fool beckons fool, and dunce awakens dunce.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led,
They damn those authors whom they never read.

Though by whim, envy, or resentment led,
They damn those authors whom they never read.