Samuel Butler

Videlicit,
That each man swore to do his best
To damn and perjure all the rest.

Videlicit,
That each man swore to do his best
To damn and perjure all the rest.

For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and his wit;
'Twas Presbyterian true blue;
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For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and his wit;
'Twas Presbyterian true blue;
For he was of that stubborn crew
Of errant saints, whom all men grant
To be the true Church Militant;
Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of pike and gun;
Decide all controversies by
Infallible artillery;
And prove their doctrine orthodox,
By Apostolic blows and knocks.

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser read more

He who rules by moral force is like the pole star, which remains
in place while all the lesser stars do homage to it.

And force them, though it was in spite
Of Nature and their stars, to write.

And force them, though it was in spite
Of Nature and their stars, to write.

'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.

'Tis not antiquity, nor author,
That makes truth truth, altho' time's daughter.