Matthew Prior

Serene yet strong, majestic yet sedate,
Swift without violence, without terror great.

Serene yet strong, majestic yet sedate,
Swift without violence, without terror great.

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.

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

But, when the wit began to wheeze,
And wine had warm'd the politician,
Cur'd yesterday of my read more

But, when the wit began to wheeze,
And wine had warm'd the politician,
Cur'd yesterday of my disease,
I died last night of my physician.

I never strove to rule the roast,
She ne'er refus'd to pledge my toast.

I never strove to rule the roast,
She ne'er refus'd to pledge my toast.