John Dryden
John Dryden
John Drydenwas an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668...
truth lying evil
Truth is the object of our understanding, as good is of our will; and the understanding can no more be delighted with a lie than the will can choose an apparent evil.
evil common nonsense
To die for faction is a common evil, But to be hanged for nonsense is the devil.
evil may valiant
I am devilishly afraid, that's certain; but ... I'll sing, that I may seem valiant.
chose discourse nearest rugged verse
And this unpolished rugged verse I chose / As fittest for discourse and nearest prose.
though warm
And virtue, though in rags, will keep me warm
poor ten thousand torture word
And torture one poor word ten thousand ways.
child thus
And thus the child imposes on the man.
image scattered wide
And, wide as his command, / Scattered his Maker's image through the land.
age genius includes particular studies universal
Every age has a kind of universal genius, which includes those that live in it to some particular studies
glorious sons treason
During his office, treason was no crime. / The sons of Belial had a glorious time.
bless dying gave hand
Dying bless the hand that gave the blow.
below dive errors pearls search surface
Errors like straws upon the surface flow: Who would search for pearls must dive below
below dive errors pearls search surface
Errors like straws upon the surface flow: Who would search for pearls must dive below
dive pearls search surface
Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow; he who would search for pearls must dive below.