How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell;
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

How far your eyes may pierce I cannot tell;
Striving to better, oft we mar what's well.

Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize
our age.

Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize
our age.

Contentious fierce,
Ardent, and dire, spring from no petty cause.

Contentious fierce,
Ardent, and dire, spring from no petty cause.

From little spark may burst a mighty flame.

From little spark may burst a mighty flame.

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.

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.

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.

A bad ending follows a bad beginning.

A bad ending follows a bad beginning.