William Cowper

Habits of close attention, thinking heads,
Become more rare as dissipation spreads,
Till authors hear at length read more

Habits of close attention, thinking heads,
Become more rare as dissipation spreads,
Till authors hear at length one general cry
Tickle and entertain us, or we die!

Seek to delight, that they may mend mankind.
And, while they captivate, inform the mind.

Seek to delight, that they may mend mankind.
And, while they captivate, inform the mind.

As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.

As creeping ivy clings to wood or stone,
And hides the ruin that it feeds upon.

Dress drains our cellar dry,
And keeps our larder lean; puts out our fires
And introduces hunger, read more

Dress drains our cellar dry,
And keeps our larder lean; puts out our fires
And introduces hunger, frost, and woe,
Where peace and hospitality might reign.

And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.

And prate and preach about what others prove,
As if the world and they were hand and glove.