English poet & satirist (1612-1680)
For rhyme the rudder is of verses,
With which like ships they steer their courses.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
She that with poetry is won
Is but a desk to write upon.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
Oaths are but words, and words but wind.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
He that is down can fall no lower.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
For Justice, though she's painted blind,
Is to the weaker side inclin'd.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
What makes all doctrines plain and clear?
About two hundred pounds a year.
And that which was prov'd true before,
Prove false again? Two hundred more.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
So in the wicked there's no vice
Of which the saints have not a spice.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
No Indian prince has to his palace
More followers than a thief to the gallows.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
He ne'er considered it as loth
To look a gift-horse in the mouth,
And very wisely would lay forth
No more upon it than 'twas worth;
But as he got it freely, so
He spent it frank and freely too:
For saints themselves will sometimes be,
Of gifts that cost them nothing, free.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
Compound for sins they are inclin'd to,
By damning those they have no mind to.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
Cry out upon the stars for doing
Ill offices, to cross their wooing.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras
Loyalty is still the same, whether it win or lose the game; true as a dial to the sun, although it be not shined upon.
SAMUEL BUTLER
Hudibras