Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. II. The Seventeenth Century: Ben Jonson to Dryden
Samuel Butler (1612–1680)Distichs and Saws (from Hudibras and Miscellanies)
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With which like ships they steer their courses.
’Tis hard to keep out of harm’s way.
With brisk attempt and putting on,
With entering manfully and urging;
Not slow approaches, like a virgin.
What ’s prosperous by the soldier done.
By foes in triumph led than slain.
The man that meddles with cold iron!
That women oft are taken in.
Is nobler than a brave retreat,
For those that run away and fly
Take place at least of the enemy.
Which he can never do that ’s slain.
As men tell woodcocks by their eyes.
To rest the body and the mind.
Were the only engines to save souls!
Is the last reason of all things.
Is of his own opinion still.
The one verse for the other’s sake.
As Love does when he bends his bow:
With one hand thrust the lady from,
And with the other pull her home.
But so much money as ’twill bring?
Is bound to observe, is kept by none.
Not he that for convenience takes it.
Like the blind’s leading of the blind.
To do their king and country harm,
But draw their swords to do them good,
As doctors use, by letting blood.
Than the hottest-headed of the wicked.
Is like a lock without a key.
Do only render the owners fit
For nothing, but to be undone
Much easier than if they had none.
Is used in selling than in buying;
But in the great unjuster dealing
Is used in buying than in selling,
Whether it win or lose the game;
True as the dial to the sun,
Although it be not shined upon.
They’re but to nothing the more near.
Do oft prove true by accident.
Which men can neither want nor well endure.