Alexander Pope ( 10 of 261 )
Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.
Alas! the small discredit of a bribe
Scarce hurts the lawyer, but undoes the scribe.
Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;
If not, by any means get wealth and place.
Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;
If not, by any means get wealth and place.
Pretty! in amber to observe the forms
Of hairs, of straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms!
read more
Pretty! in amber to observe the forms
Of hairs, of straws, or dirt, or grubs, or worms!
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there.
Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How read more
Next o'er his books his eyes began to roll,
In pleasing memory of all he stole;
How here he sipp'd, how there he plunder'd snug,
And suck'd all o'er like an industrious bug.
Fine by defect, and delicately weak.
Fine by defect, and delicately weak.
Constant at Church and 'Change; his gains were sure;
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
Constant at Church and 'Change; his gains were sure;
His givings rare, save farthings to the poor.
Who builds a church to God, and not to Fame,
Will never mark the marble with his Name.
Who builds a church to God, and not to Fame,
Will never mark the marble with his Name.
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not read more
Thus let me live, unseen, unknown,
Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.
There are, to whom my satire seems too bold;
Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough,
And something read more
There are, to whom my satire seems too bold;
Scarce to wise Peter complaisant enough,
And something said of Chartres much too rough.
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
Satire or sense, alas! Can Sporus feel?
Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?
