Matthew Prior

To each man at his birth nature has given some fault.

To each man at his birth nature has given some fault.

You tell your doctor, that y' are ill
And what does he, but write a bill,
Of read more

You tell your doctor, that y' are ill
And what does he, but write a bill,
Of which you need not read one letter,
The worse the scrawl, the dose the better.
For if you knew but what you take,
Though you recover, he must break.

Variety alone gives joy;
The sweetest meats the soonest cloy.

Variety alone gives joy;
The sweetest meats the soonest cloy.

Thy sum of duty let two words contain,
(O may they graven in thy heart remain!)
Be read more

Thy sum of duty let two words contain,
(O may they graven in thy heart remain!)
Be humble and be just.

A Rechabite poor Will must live,
And drink of Adam's ale.

A Rechabite poor Will must live,
And drink of Adam's ale.