John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
age beast begin brought chase lovers piece thy time wars
All, all of a piece throughout; / Thy chase had a beast in view; / Thy wars brought nothing about; / Thy lovers were all untrue. / 'Tis well an old age is out, / And time to begin a new.
horrid stillness tempest
An horrid stillness first invades the ear, / And in that stillness we the tempest fear.
found messiah
They found the new Messiah by the star.
cheating consider favour fooled former men trust
When I consider life, 'tis all a cheat. Yet, fooled by hope, men favour the deceit; trust on, and think to-morrow will repay: to-morrow's falser than the former day.
cheat consider deceit deception favour men
When I consider life, 'tis all a cheat yet, fool'd by hope, men favour the deceit
beginnings mighty small viewing
By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid, art, makes mighty things from small beginnings grow.
pious polygamy sin
In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, before polygamy was made a sin
estate found whom
Beggared by fools! whom still he found too late, He had his jest, but they had his estate
base free laws nature noble savage servitude wild woods
I am as free as nature first made man, / Ere the base laws of servitude began, / When wild in woods the noble savage ran.
free nature
I am as free as nature first made man.
angel drew mortal raised
He raised a mortal to the skies; / She drew an angel down.
blood distant dull flesh joy joys present prospect
For present joys are more to flesh and blood than a dull prospect of a distant good.
action common graceful interest seldom
Youth, beauty, graceful action, seldom fail:/ But common interest always will prevail.
authority combat establish general men particular reputation themselves understanding
They who would combat general authority with particular opinion, must first establish themselves a reputation of understanding better than other men