Samuel Butler

To live is to love; all reason is against it; instinct is for it.

To live is to love; all reason is against it; instinct is for it.

'Tis true no lover has that pow'r
T' enforce a desperate amour,
As he that has two read more

'Tis true no lover has that pow'r
T' enforce a desperate amour,
As he that has two strings t' his bow,
And burns for love and money too.

For brevity is very good,
Where we are, or are not understood.

For brevity is very good,
Where we are, or are not understood.

Some force whole regions, in despite
O' geography, to change their site;
Make former times shake hands read more

Some force whole regions, in despite
O' geography, to change their site;
Make former times shake hands with latter,
And that which was before come after;
But those that write in rhyme still make
The one verse for the other's sake;
For one for sense, and one for rhyme,
I think's sufficient at one time.

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.