Samuel Butler

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

For rhetoric, he could not ope
His mouth, but out there flew a trope.

And though it be a two-foot trout,
'Tis with a single hair pulled out.

And though it be a two-foot trout,
'Tis with a single hair pulled out.

Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
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Nothing's more dull and negligent
Than an old, lazy government,
That knows no interest of state,
But such as serves a present strait.

True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.

True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shin'd upon.

The Roman senate, when within
The city walls an owl was seen,
Did cause their clergy, with read more

The Roman senate, when within
The city walls an owl was seen,
Did cause their clergy, with lustrations
. . . .
The round-fac'd prodigy t' avert,
From doing town or country hurt.