Samuel Butler

The worst of rebels never arm
To do their king or country harm,
But draw their swords read more

The worst of rebels never arm
To do their king or country harm,
But draw their swords to do them good,
As doctors cure by letting blood.

I've heard old cunning stagers
Say, fools for arguments use wagers.

I've heard old cunning stagers
Say, fools for arguments use wagers.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

It is tact that is golden, not silence.

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.