Charles Churchill

A wise man does nothing by constraint.

A wise man does nothing by constraint.

Nor waste their sweetness in the desert air.

Nor waste their sweetness in the desert air.

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.

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.

With various readings stored his empty skull,
Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.

With various readings stored his empty skull,
Learn'd without sense, and venerably dull.