book i
. chap. ix._
I have taught you, my dear flock, for above thirty years how to live; and I will show you in a very short time how to die.--SANDYS: _Anglorum Speculum, p. 903._
Teach him how to live, And, oh still harder lesson! how to die.
PORTEUS: _Death, line 316._
He taught them how to live and how to die.--SOMERVILLE: _In Memory of the Rev. Mr. Moore._
SAMUEL MADDEN. 1687-1765.
Some write their wrongs in marble: he more just, Stoop'd down serene and wrote them in the dust,-- Trod under foot, the sport of every wind, Swept from the earth and blotted from his mind. There, secret in the grave, he bade them lie, And grieved they could not 'scape the Almighty eye.
_Boulter's Monument._
Words are men's daughters, but God's sons are things.[314-1]
_Boulter's Monument._
FOOTNOTES:
[314-1] See Herbert, page 206.
ALEXANDER POPE. 1688-1744.
Awake, my St. John! leave all meaner things To low ambition and the pride of kings. Let us (since life can little more supply Than just to look about us, and to die) Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man; A mighty maze! but not without a plan.[314-2]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 1._
Together let us beat this ample field, Try what the open, what the covert yield.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 9._
Eye Nature's walks, shoot folly as it flies, And catch the manners living as they rise; Laugh where we must, be candid where we can, But vindicate the ways of God to man.[315-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 13._
Say first, of God above or man below, What can we reason but from what we know?
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 17._
'T is but a part we see, and not a whole.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 60._
Heaven from all creatures hides the book of Fate, All but the page prescrib'd, their present state.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 77._
Pleased to the last, he crops the flowery food, And licks the hand just raised to shed his blood.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 83._
Who sees with equal eye, as God of all, A hero perish or a sparrow fall, Atoms or systems into ruin hurl'd, And now a bubble burst, and now a world.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 87._
Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always to be blest.[315-2] The soul, uneasy and confined from home, Rests and expatiates in a life to come.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 95._
Lo, the poor Indian! whose untutor'd mind Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind; His soul proud Science never taught to stray Far as the solar walk or milky way.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 99._
But thinks, admitted to that equal sky, His faithful dog shall bear him company.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 111._
In pride, in reasoning pride, our error lies; All quit their sphere, and rush into the skies. Pride still is aiming at the blest abodes: Men would be angels, angels would be gods. Aspiring to be gods, if angels fell, Aspiring to be angels, men rebel.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 123._
Seas roll to waft me, suns to light me rise; My footstool earth, my canopy the skies.[316-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 139._
Why has not man a microscopic eye? For this plain reason,--man is not a fly.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 193._
Die of a rose in aromatic pain.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 200._
The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine! Feels at each thread, and lives along the line.[316-2]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 217._
Remembrance and reflection how allied! What thin partitions sense from thought divide![316-3]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 225._
All are but parts of one stupendous whole, Whose body Nature is, and God the soul.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 267._
Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze, Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees.
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 271._
As full, as perfect, in vile man that mourns As the rapt seraph that adores and burns: To Him no high, no low, no great, no small;[316-4] He fills, he bounds, connects, and equals all!
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 277._
All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction, which thou canst not see; All discord, harmony not understood; All partial evil, universal good; And spite of pride, in erring reason's spite, One truth is clear, Whatever is, is right.[316-5]
_Essay on Man. Epistle i. Line 289._
Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man.[317-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 1._
Chaos of thought and passion, all confused; Still by himself abused or disabused; Created half to rise, and half to fall; Great lord of all things, yet a prey to all; Sole judge of truth, in endless error hurled,-- The glory, jest, and riddle of the world.[317-2]
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 13._
Fix'd like a plant on his peculiar spot, To draw nutrition, propagate, and rot.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 63._
In lazy apathy let stoics boast Their virtue fix'd: 't is fix'd as in a frost; Contracted all, retiring to the breast; But strength of mind is exercise, not rest.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 101._
On life's vast ocean diversely we sail, Reason the card, but passion is the gale.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 107._
And hence one master-passion in the breast, Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up the rest.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 131._
The young disease, that must subdue at length, Grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 135._
Extremes in nature equal ends produce; In man they join to some mysterious use.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 205._
Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen;[317-3] Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 217._
Ask where 's the North? At York 't is on the Tweed; In Scotland at the Orcades; and there, At Greenland, Zembla, or the Lord knows where.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 222._
Virtuous and vicious every man must be,-- Few in the extreme, but all in the degree.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 231._
Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die. Behold the child, by Nature's kindly law, Pleased with a rattle, tickled with a straw; Some livelier plaything gives his youth delight, A little louder, but as empty quite; Scarfs, garters, gold, amuse his riper stage, And beads and prayer-books are the toys of age. Pleased with this bauble still, as that before, Till tired he sleeps, and life's poor play is o'er.
_Essay on Man. Epistle ii. Line 274._
While man exclaims, "See all things for my use!" "See man for mine!" replies a pamper'd goose.[318-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle iii. Line 45._
Learn of the little nautilus to sail, Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iii. Line 177._
The enormous faith of many made for one.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iii. Line 242._
For forms of government let fools contest; Whate'er is best administer'd is best. For modes of faith let graceless zealots fight; His can't be wrong whose life is in the right.[318-2] In faith and hope the world will disagree, But all mankind's concern is charity.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iii. Line 303._
O happiness! our being's end and aim! Good, pleasure, ease, content! whate'er thy name: That something still which prompts the eternal sigh, For which we bear to live, or dare to die.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 1._
Order is Heaven's first law.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 49._
Reason's whole pleasure, all the joys of sense, Lie in three words,--health, peace, and competence.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 79._
The soul's calm sunshine and the heartfelt joy.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 168._
Honour and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honour lies.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 193._
Worth makes the man, and want of it the fellow; The rest is all but leather or prunello.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 203._
What can ennoble sots or slaves or cowards? Alas! not all the blood of all the Howards.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 215._
A wit 's a feather, and a chief a rod; An honest man 's the noblest work of God.[319-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 247._
Plays round the head, but comes not to the heart. One self-approving hour whole years outweighs Of stupid starers and of loud huzzas; And more true joy Marcellus exil'd feels Than Cæsar with a senate at his heels. In parts superior what advantage lies? Tell (for you can) what is it to be wise? 'T is but to know how little can be known; To see all others' faults, and feel our own.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 254._
Truths would you teach, or save a sinking land? All fear, none aid you, and few understand.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 261._
If parts allure thee, think how Bacon shin'd, The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind! Or ravish'd with the whistling of a name,[319-2] See Cromwell, damn'd to everlasting fame![319-3]
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 281._
Know then this truth (enough for man to know),-- "Virtue alone is happiness below."
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 309._
Never elated when one man 's oppress'd; Never dejected while another 's bless'd.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 323._
Slave to no sect, who takes no private road, But looks through Nature up to Nature's God.[320-1]
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 331._
Form'd by thy converse, happily to steer From grave to gay, from lively to severe.[320-2]
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 379._
Say, shall my little bark attendant sail, Pursue the triumph and partake the gale?
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 385._
Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and friend.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 390._
That virtue only makes our bliss below,[320-3] And all our knowledge is ourselves to know.
_Essay on Man. Epistle iv. Line 397._
To observations which ourselves we make, We grow more partial for th' observer's sake.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 11._
Like following life through creatures you dissect, You lose it in the moment you detect.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 20._
In vain sedate reflections we would make When half our knowledge we must snatch, not take.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 39._
Not always actions show the man; we find Who does a kindness is not therefore kind.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 109._
Who combats bravely is not therefore brave, He dreads a death-bed like the meanest slave: Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise,-- His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 115._
'T is from high life high characters are drawn; A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 135._
'T is education forms the common mind: Just as the twig is bent the tree 's inclined.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 149._
Manners with fortunes, humours turn with climes, Tenets with books, and principles with times.[321-1]
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 172._
"Odious! in woollen! 't would a saint provoke," Were the last words that poor Narcissa spoke.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 246._
And you, brave Cobham! to the latest breath Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death.
_Moral Essays. Epistle i. Line 262._
Whether the charmer sinner it or saint it, If folly grow romantic, I must paint it.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 15._
Choose a firm cloud before it fall, and in it Catch, ere she change, the Cynthia of this minute.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 19._
Fine by defect, and delicately weak.[321-2]
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 43._
With too much quickness ever to be taught; With too much thinking to have common thought.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 97._
Atossa, cursed with every granted prayer, Childless with all her children, wants an heir; To heirs unknown descends the unguarded store, Or wanders heaven-directed to the poor.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 147._
Virtue she finds too painful an endeavour, Content to dwell in decencies forever.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 163._
Men, some to business, some to pleasure take; But every woman is at heart a rake.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 215._
See how the world its veterans rewards! A youth of frolics, an old age of cards.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 243._
Oh, blest with temper whose unclouded ray Can make to-morrow cheerful as to-day!
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 257._
Most women have no characters at all.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 2._
She who ne'er answers till a husband cools, Or if she rules him, never shows she rules.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 261._
And mistress of herself though china fall.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 268._
Woman 's at best a contradiction still.
_Moral Essays. Epistle ii. Line 270._
Who shall decide when doctors disagree, And soundest casuists doubt, like you and me?
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 1._
Blest paper-credit! last and best supply! That lends corruption lighter wings to fly.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 39._
_P._ What riches give us let us then inquire: Meat, fire, and clothes. _B._ What more? _P._ Meat, fine clothes, and fire.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 79._
But thousands die without or this or that,-- Die, and endow a college or a cat.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 95._
The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 153._
Extremes in Nature equal good produce; Extremes in man concur to general use.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 161._
Rise, honest muse! and sing The Man of Ross.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 250._
Ye little stars! hide your diminish'd rays.[322-1]
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 282._
Who builds a church to God and not to fame, Will never mark the marble with his name.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 285._
In the worst inn's worst room, with mat half hung.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 299._
Where London's column, pointing at the skies, Like a tall bully, lifts the head and lies.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iii. Line 339._
Good sense, which only is the gift of Heaven, And though no science, fairly worth the seven.
_Moral Essays. Epistle iv. Line 43._
To rest, the cushion and soft dean invite, Who never mentions hell to ears polite.[322-2]
_Moral Essays. Epistle iv. Line 149._
Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honour clear; Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end, Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend.
_Epistle to Mr. Addison. Line 67._
'T is with our judgments as our watches,--none Go just alike, yet each believes his own.[323-1]
_Essay on Criticism. Part i . Line 9._
One science only will one genius fit: So vast is art, so narrow human wit.
_Essay on Criticism. Part i . Line 60._
From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art.
_Essay on Criticism. Part i . Line 152._
Those oft are stratagems which errors seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.[323-2]
_Essay on Criticism.