Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

Now we sit close about this taper here
And call in question our necessities.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To read more

No, rather I abjure all roofs, and choose
To wage against the emnity o' th' air,
To be a comrade with the wolf and owl,
Necessity's sharp pinch.

We do what we must, and call it by the best names.

We do what we must, and call it by the best names.

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

The graveyards are full of indispensable men.

Necessity makes even the timid brave.
[Lat., Necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit.]

Necessity makes even the timid brave.
[Lat., Necessitas etiam timidos fortes facit.]

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.
[Lat., Necessitas ultimum et maximum telum est.]

Necessity is the last and strongest weapon.
[Lat., Necessitas ultimum et maximum telum est.]

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

Necessity takes impartially the highest and the lowest.
[Lat., Aequa lege necessitas
Sortitur insignes et imos.]

My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have read more

My steps have pressed the flowers,
That to the Muses' bowers
The eternal dews of Helicon have given:
And trod the mountain height,
Where Science, young and bright,
Scans with poetic gaze the midnight-heaven.
Yet have I found no power to vie
With thine, severe necessity!