Edward Young

Can wealth give happiness? look round and see
What gay distress! what splendid misery!
Whatever fortunes lavishly read more

Can wealth give happiness? look round and see
What gay distress! what splendid misery!
Whatever fortunes lavishly can pour,
The mind annihilates, and calls for more.

Much learning shows how little mortals know:
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy.

Much learning shows how little mortals know:
Much wealth, how little worldlings can enjoy.

'Tis impious in a good man to be sad.

'Tis impious in a good man to be sad.

Sense is our helmet, wit is but the plume;
The plume exposes, 'tis our helmet saves.
Sense read more

Sense is our helmet, wit is but the plume;
The plume exposes, 'tis our helmet saves.
Sense is the diamond, weighty, solid, sound;
When cut by wit, it casts a brighter beam;
Yet, wit apart, it is a diamond still.

Like birds, whose beauties languish half concealed,
Till, mounted on the wing, their glossy plumes
Expanded, shine read more

Like birds, whose beauties languish half concealed,
Till, mounted on the wing, their glossy plumes
Expanded, shine with azure, green and gold;
How blessings brighten as they take their flight.