Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of read more

Tender-handed stroke a nettle,
And it stings you for your pains;
Grasp it like a man of mettle,
And it soft as silk remains.
'Tis the same with common natures,
Use 'em kindly, they rebel;
But, be rough as nutmeg-graters,
And the rogues obey you well.

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of
the fool: this also is read more

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of
the fool: this also is vanity.

Knowledge is folly, except grace guide it.

Knowledge is folly, except grace guide it.

And Modesty, who, when she goes,
Is gone for ever.

And Modesty, who, when she goes,
Is gone for ever.

With winsome cruelty she refuses.

With winsome cruelty she refuses.

She only said, My life is dreary,
He cometh not, she said;
She said I am aweary, read more

She only said, My life is dreary,
He cometh not, she said;
She said I am aweary, aweary,
Oh God, that I were dead.

The beast that goes alwaies never wants blowes.

The beast that goes alwaies never wants blowes.

One ungrateful man injures all who need assistance.

One ungrateful man injures all who need assistance.

In truth it is best to learn wisdom, and abandoning all nonsense,
to leave it to boys to enjoy read more

In truth it is best to learn wisdom, and abandoning all nonsense,
to leave it to boys to enjoy their season of play and mirth.