The pen became a clarion.

The pen became a clarion.

Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword.

Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword.

Let there be gall enough in thy ink, though thou write with a
goose-pen, no matter.

Let there be gall enough in thy ink, though thou write with a
goose-pen, no matter.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

You write with ease, to show your breeding,
But easy writing's curst hard reading.

You write with ease, to show your breeding,
But easy writing's curst hard reading.

Whose noble praise
Deserves a quill pluckt from an angel's wing.

Whose noble praise
Deserves a quill pluckt from an angel's wing.

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest
of men, I will find read more

If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest
of men, I will find something in them which will hang him.
[Fr., Qu'on me donne six lignes ecrites de la main du plus
honnete homme, j'y trouverai de quoi le faire pendre.]

Oh! nature's noblest gift--my gray-goose quill!
Slave of my thoughts, obedient to my will,
Torn from thy read more

Oh! nature's noblest gift--my gray-goose quill!
Slave of my thoughts, obedient to my will,
Torn from thy parent-bird to form a pen,
That might instrument of little men!

Men of quality are in the wrong to undervalue, as they often do,
the practise of a fair and read more

Men of quality are in the wrong to undervalue, as they often do,
the practise of a fair and quick hand in writing; for it is no
immaterial accomplishment.
[Lat., Non sest aliena res, quae fere ab honestis negligi solet,
cura bene ac velociter scribendi.]