Charles Churchill

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.

His thirst he slakes at some pure neighboring brook,
Nor seeks for sauce where Appetite stands cook.

His thirst he slakes at some pure neighboring brook,
Nor seeks for sauce where Appetite stands cook.

A servile race
Who, in mere want of fault, all merit place;
Who blind obedience pay to read more

A servile race
Who, in mere want of fault, all merit place;
Who blind obedience pay to ancient schools,
Bigots to Greece, and slaves to musty rules.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

And reputation bleeds in ev'ry word.

With that malignant envy which turns pale,
And sickens, even if a friend prevail.

With that malignant envy which turns pale,
And sickens, even if a friend prevail.