Matthew Prior

Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart,
And often took leave; but was loth to part.

Now fitted the halter, now travers'd the cart,
And often took leave; but was loth to part.

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.

What is a king? a man condemn'd to bear
The public burthen of the nation's care.

What is a king? a man condemn'd to bear
The public burthen of the nation's care.

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

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

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.