Matthew Prior Quotes

Rise not till noon, if life be but a dream, As Greek and Roman poets have exprest: Add good example to so grave a theme, For he who sleeps the longest lives the best.

And ’twould be a cruel thing, When her black eyes have raised desire, Should she not her bucket bring And kindly help to quench the fire.

So when I am wearied with wandering all day; To thee my delight in the evening I come: No matter what beauties I saw in my way: They were but my visits; but thou art my home.

What I speak, my fair Chloe, and what I write shows The difference there is betwixt Nature and Art: I court others in verse: but I love thee in prose: And they have my whimsies, but thou hast my heart.

Their beer was strong; their wine was port; Their meal was large; their grace was short. They gave the poor the remnant meat, Just when it grew not fit to eat.

They walked and eat, good folks: What then? Why then they walked and eat again: They soundly slept the night away: They did just nothing all the day.