John Ogilby Quotes

Small Help may bring great Aid.

Mercy makes Princes Gods.

True Valour best is without Witness shown.

Great Expectations oft to nothing come.

Robber of Man, who now shall give thee ayd?

He that loves Gold, starves more, the more he's fed.

He is too blest that his own Happiness knows,
And Mortals to themselves are greatest Foes.

These Heaven decrees, and ever-fixed Fate.
But say, blest prophet, and the truth relate;
I see my mother's shade, who not her son
Will speak to, nor so much as look upon:
Silent she sits by sacred blood: ah, how
May she, poor shadow! her dear offspring know?

Their oars I bid them ply, their lives to save,
Death at their heels: they brush the briny wave,
And soon our ship the open sea enjoy'd;
But all the rest the Læstrigons destroy'd.

At last a pleasant river's mouth he finds,
Free from rough clifts, safe from disturbing winds.

There had his flesh been rent, fractur'd his bones,
'Mongst rowling pebbles, and sharp pointed stones.

Then in a chair, with a rich cushion grac'd
And a carv'd foot-stool, he Minerva plac'd.
There 'gainst a column sets her lance, where stood
Ulysses' javelins, planted like a wood.

That prudent Hero's wandering, Muse, rehearse,
Who (Troy b'ing sack'd) coasting the Universe,
Saw many Cities, and their various Modes;
Much suffering, tost by Storms on raging Floods,
His Friends conducting to their Native Coast:
But all in vain, for he his Navy lost,
And they their Lives, prophanely feasting on
Herds consecrated to the glorious Sun;
Who much incens'd obstructed so their way,
They ne'er return'd: Jove's Daughter this display.

When they and Venus to his cottage came,
For lust-rewards prefer'd the Cyprian dame.

Who, dearest daughter! thus unkindly used,
And like a malefactor thee abused?
She sighing then replied; Juno thy wife,
Who still foments contention here and strife.