Samuel Butler

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.

The truest characters of ignorance
Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance.

The truest characters of ignorance
Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance.

Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).

Nick Machiavel had ne'er a trick
(Though he gave his name to our Old Nick).

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

To swallow gudgeons ere they're catch'd.
And count their chickens ere they're hatch'd.

Through thick and thin.

Through thick and thin.