Society and the World

Coffee, (which makes the politician wise,

Party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Here thou, great Anna! whom three realms obey,

The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,

The hungry judges soon the sentence sign,

Let humble Allen, with an awkward shame,

Get place and wealth, if possible, with grace;

For forms of government let fools contest;

The learn’d is happy nature to explore,

Created half to rise, and half to fall;

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,

And, spite of Pride, in erring Reason’s spite,

Eye Nature’s walks, shoot Folly as it flies,

Men must be taught as if you taught them not,

Some praise at morning what they blame at night;

A little learning is a dangerous thing;

Nature, and Nature’s laws lay hid in night.

Search then the Ruling Passion: There, alone,

’Tis use alone that sanctifies expense.

’Tis education forms the common mind,

The ruling passion, be it what it will,

Die, and endow a college, or a cat.

Unlearn’d, he knew no schoolman’s subtle art,