Society and the World

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,

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien,

Created half to rise, and half to fall;

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

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

Some praise at morning what they blame at night;

Men must be taught as if you taught them not,

A little learning is a dangerous thing;

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

’Tis education forms the common mind,

Search then the Ruling Passion: There, alone,

’Tis use alone that sanctifies expense.

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,

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

You think this cruel? take it for a rule,

I am his Highness’ dog at Kew;

How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense,

On all the line a sudden vengeance waits,

The glory that was Greece