Samuel Butler

She that with poetry is won,
Is but a desk to write upon;
And what men say read more

She that with poetry is won,
Is but a desk to write upon;
And what men say of her they mean
No more than on the thing they lean.

For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which, like ships, they steer their courses.

For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which, like ships, they steer their courses.

Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.

Now, while the honour thou hast got
Is spick and span new.

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.

As men of inward light are wont
To turn their optics in upon't.

As men of inward light are wont
To turn their optics in upon't.