Who gathers thistles, may expect pricks.

Who gathers thistles, may expect pricks.

What is now an act of reason, was but blind impulse.

What is now an act of reason, was but blind impulse.

We may outrun,
By violent swiftness, that which we run at,
And lose by over-running.

We may outrun,
By violent swiftness, that which we run at,
And lose by over-running.

What a lady says to an eager lover he may write in the wind, or
in running water.

What a lady says to an eager lover he may write in the wind, or
in running water.

The thorne comes forth with the point forwards.

The thorne comes forth with the point forwards.

Slow rises worth by poverty depressed.

Slow rises worth by poverty depressed.

A sleepy master makes his servant a Lowt.

A sleepy master makes his servant a Lowt.

This even-handed justice
Commends th' ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.

This even-handed justice
Commends th' ingredience of our poisoned chalice
To our own lips.

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?