Better To Love Amiss Than Nothing To

Men Famed For Wit, Of Dangerous Talents Vain, Treat Those Of Common Parts With Proud Disdain; The Powers That Wisdom Would, Improving, Hide, They Blaze Abroad, With Inconsid'rate Pride; While Yet But Mere Probationers For Fame, They Seize The Honor They Should Then Disclaim: Honor So Hurried To The Light Must Fade, The Lasting Laurels Nourish In The Shade.

Temp'rate In Every Place--abroad, At Home, Thence Will Applause, And Hence Will Profit Come; And Health From Either--he In Time Prepares For Sickness, Age, And Their Attendant Cares.

Against Her Foes Religion Well Defends Her Sacred Truths, But Often Fears Her Friends.

Whatever Amuses, Serves To Kill Time, To Lull The Faculties, And To Banish Reflection. Whatever Entertains, Usually Awakens The Understanding Or Gratifies The Fancy. Whatever Diverts, Is Lively In Its Nature, And Sometimes Tumultuous In Its Effects.

But Jest Apart--what Virtue Canst Thou Trace In That Broad Trim That Hides Thy Sober Face? Does That Long-skirted Drab, That Over-nice And Formal Clothing, Prove A Scorn Of Vice? Then For Thine Accent--what In Sound Can Be So Void Of Grace As Dull Monotony?