John Dryden

Deserted, at his utmost need,
By those his former bounty fed;
On the bare earth exposed he read more

Deserted, at his utmost need,
By those his former bounty fed;
On the bare earth exposed he lies,
With not a friend to close his eyes.

Maintain your post: That's all the fame you need;
For 'tis impossible you should proceed.

Maintain your post: That's all the fame you need;
For 'tis impossible you should proceed.

But wild Ambition loves to slide, not stand,
And Fortune's ice prefers to Virtue's land.

But wild Ambition loves to slide, not stand,
And Fortune's ice prefers to Virtue's land.

Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit,
The power of beauty I remember yet,
Which once read more

Old as I am, for ladies' love unfit,
The power of beauty I remember yet,
Which once inflam'd my soul, and still inspires my wit.

Stiff in opinion, always in the wrong.

Stiff in opinion, always in the wrong.