John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
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
glorious sons treason
During his office, treason was no crime. / The sons of Belial had a glorious time.
excites loud
The trumpet's loud clangour / Excites us to arms.
fond harmless household meant nature silly
Nature meant me a wife, a silly harmless household Dove, fond without art; and kind without deceit.
toil
And all to leave, what with this toil he won, / To that unfeathered, two-legged thing, a son.
blessings drinking pleasure
Bacchus' blessings are a treasure, Drinking is the soldier's pleasure
giant theirs
Theirs was the giant race, before the flood.
beginnings mighty small viewing
By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid, art, makes mighty things from small beginnings grow.
eastern lovely sat
The lovely Thais by his side, / Sat like a blooming Eastern bride.
god king nor pampered people
God's pampered people whom, debauched with ease, / No king could govern, nor no God could please.
eagles imperfection secret
None, none descends into himself, to find The secret imperfections of his mind: But every one is eagle-ey'd to see Another's faults, and his deformity.
time simple years
Love and Time with reverence use, Treat them like a parting friend: Nor the golden gifts refuse Which in youth sincere they send: For each year their price is more, And they less simple than before.
brave unjust ruins
Fortune's unjust; she ruins oft the brave, and him who should be victor, makes the slave.