Matthew Prior Quotes

He ranged his tropes, and preached up patience;
Backed his opinion with quotations.

Cured yesterday of my disease,
I died last night of my physician.

That air and harmony of shape express,
Fine by degrees, and beautifully less.

Odds life! must one swear to the truth of a song?

Till their own dreams at length decive 'em,
And oft repeating, they believe 'em.

Forbear to mention what thou canst not praise.

Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart,
And often took leave, but was loth to depart.

Be to her virtues very kind;
Be to her faults a little blind;
Let all her ways be unconfined;
And clap your padlock — on her mind!

All jargon of the schools.

The end must justify the means.

To John I owed great obligation;
But John, unhappily, thought fit
To publish it to all the nation:
Sure John and I are more than quit.

His noble negligences teach
What others' toils despair to reach.

Soft peace she brings; wherever she arrives
She builds our quiet as she forms our lives;
Lays the rough paths of peevish Nature even,
And opens in each heart a little heaven.

Abra was ready ere I called her name;
And though I called another, Abra came.

A Rechabite poor Will must live,
And drink of Adam's ale.