Samuel Butler

Shear swine, all cry and no wool.

Shear swine, all cry and no wool.

As quick as lightning, in the breach
Just in the place where honour's lodged,
As wise philosophers read more

As quick as lightning, in the breach
Just in the place where honour's lodged,
As wise philosophers have judged,
Because a kick in that place more
Hurts honour than deep wounds before.

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.

He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would read more

He ne'er consider'd it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would lay forth
No more upon it than 'twas worth;
But as he got it freely, so
He spent it frank and freely too:
For saints themselves will sometimes be,
Of gifts that cost them nothing, free.

So justice while she winks at crimes,
Stumbles on innocence sometimes.

So justice while she winks at crimes,
Stumbles on innocence sometimes.