John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
brave pairs fairs
Happy, happy, happy pair! None but the brave deserves the fair.
merit proud modesty
There is a proud modesty in merit.
husband men wife
A man may be capable, as Jack Ketch's wife said of his servant, of a plain piece of work, a bare hanging; but to makea malefactordiesweetly was only belonging toher husband.
may littles mysterious
Much malice mingled with a little wit Perhaps may censure this mysterious writ.
country dark land
And nobler is a limited command, Given by the love of all your native land, Than a successive title, long and dark, Drawn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's Ark.
sweet flower moving
For thee, sweet month; the groves green liveries wear. If not the first, the fairest of the year; For thee the Graces lead the dancing hours, And Nature's ready pencil paints the flowers. When thy short reign is past, the feverish sun The sultry tropic fears, and moves more slowly on.
children men growth
Men are but children of a larger growth.
children men innocence
Her wit was more than man, her innocence a child.
views familiar loses
All objects lose by too familiar a view.
maids blushing modest
The blushing beauties of a modest maid.
faithful succeed lord
If one must be rejected, one succeed, make him my lord within whose faithful breast is fixed my image, and who loves me best.
son issues done
Prodigious actions may as well be done, by weaver's issue, as the prince's son.
past hours pow
Not Heav'n itself upon the past has pow'r; But what has been, has been, and I have had my hour.
men heaven usury
Pleasure never comes sincere to man; but lent by heaven upon hard usury.