John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Page 424
| William Cowper. (1731–1800) (continued) |
| 4559 |
| He sees that this great roundabout The world, with all its motley rout, Church, army, physic, law, Its customs and its businesses, Is no concern at all of his, And says—what says he?—Caw. |
| The Jackdaw. (Translation from Vincent Bourne). |
| 4560 |
| For ’t is a truth well known to most, That whatsoever thing is lost, We seek it, ere it come to light, In every cranny but the right. |
| The Retired Cat. |
| 4561 |
| He that holds fast the golden mean, 1 And lives contentedly between The little and the great, Feels not the wants that pinch the poor, Nor plagues that haunt the rich man’s door. |
| Translation of Horace. Book ii. Ode x. |
| 4562 |
| But strive still to be a man before your mother. 2 |
| Connoisseur. Motto of No. iii. |
| Erasmus Darwin. (1731–1802) |
| 4563 |
| Soon shall thy arm, unconquer’d steam! afar Drag the slow barge, or drive the rapid car; Or on wide-waving wings expanded bear The flying chariot through the field of air. |
| The Botanic Garden. Part i. Canto i. Line 289. |
| 4564 |
| No radiant pearl which crested Fortune wears, No gem that twinkling hangs from Beauty’s ears, Not the bright stars which Night’s blue arch adorn, Nor rising suns that gild the vernal morn, Shine with such lustre as the tear that flows Down Virtue’s manly cheek for others’ woes. |
| The Botanic Garden. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 459. |
| Note 1. Keep the golden mean.—Publius Syrus: Maxim 1072. [back] |
| Note 2. See Beaumont and Fletcher, Quotation 26. [back] |