Matthew Prior Quotes

Nobles and heralds, by your leave,
Here lies what once was Matthew Prior;
The son of Adam and of Eve:
Can Bourbon or Nassau claim higher?

All jargon of the schools.

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

And thought the nation ne'er would thrive
Till all the whores were burnt alive.

Venus, take my votive glass;
Since I am not what I was,
What from this day I shall be,
Venus, let me never see.

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

The end must justify the means.

Who breathes must suffer, and who thinks must mourn;
And he alone is bless'd who ne'er was born.

They never taste who always drink;
They always talk who never think.

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

For hope is but the dream of those that wake.

Forbear to mention what thou canst not praise.

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

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.

From ignorance our comfort flows.
The only wretched are the wise.