Long open panegyric drags at best,
And praise is only praise when well address'd.

Long open panegyric drags at best,
And praise is only praise when well address'd.

The sweeter sound of woman's praise.

The sweeter sound of woman's praise.

Solid pudding against empty praise.

Solid pudding against empty praise.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.

Fondly we think we honor merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men.

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.

Earth, with her thousand voices, praises God.

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

Censure is often useful, praise is often deceitful

To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

To what base ends, and by what abject ways,
Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise!

Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.

Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.

Delightful praise!--like summer rose,
That brighter in the dew-drop glows,
The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd,
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Delightful praise!--like summer rose,
That brighter in the dew-drop glows,
The bashful maiden's cheek appear'd,
For Douglas spoke, and Malcolm heard.