Samuel Butler

The trenchant blade Toledo trusty.
For want of fighting was grown rusty,
And ate into itself for read more

The trenchant blade Toledo trusty.
For want of fighting was grown rusty,
And ate into itself for lack
Of somebody to hew and hack.

Quoth Hudibras, I smell a rat;
Ralpho, thou dost prevaricate.

Quoth Hudibras, I smell a rat;
Ralpho, thou dost prevaricate.

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

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

This hairy meteor did announce
The fall of sceptres and of crowns.

This hairy meteor did announce
The fall of sceptres and of crowns.

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.