John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
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.
eastern lovely sat
The lovely Thais by his side, / Sat like a blooming Eastern bride.
beginnings mighty small viewing
By viewing Nature, Nature's handmaid, art, makes mighty things from small beginnings grow.
god king nor pampered people
God's pampered people whom, debauched with ease, / No king could govern, nor no God could please.
dies heaven man stage
For, Heaven be thank'd, we live in such an age, when no man dies for love, but on the stage
shun struggle
Better shun the bait, than struggle in the snare.
pious polygamy sin
In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, before polygamy was made a sin
mercy reason rule
Reason to rule but mercy to forgive: the first is law; the last, prerogative.