What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

What dire Offence from am'rous Causes springs,
What mighty Contests rise from trivial Things.

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

As thou sowest, so shalt thou reap.
[Sp., Ut sementem feceris, ita metes.]

From hence, let fierce contending nations know,
What dire effects from civil discord flow.

From hence, let fierce contending nations know,
What dire effects from civil discord flow.

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk: the bud shall read more

For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:
it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it
yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

It will be seen in the frying of the eggs.
[Sp., Al freir de los huevos lo vera.]

It will be seen in the frying of the eggs.
[Sp., Al freir de los huevos lo vera.]

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

So comes a reck'ning when the banquet's o'er,
The dreadful reckn'ning, and men smile no more.

Thou marvell'st at my words, but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

Thou marvell'st at my words, but hold thee still;
Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill.

That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.

That from small fires comes oft no small mishap.