"AIM not too high at things beyond thy reach," Nor give the rein to reckless thought or speech. Is it not better all thy life to bide Lord of thyself, than all the earth beside? Thus if high Fortune far from thee take wing, Why shouldst thou envy counsellor or king? Purple or homespun, -- wherefore make ado What coat may cover, if the heart be true? Then, if at last thou gather wealth at will, Thou most shalt honor Him who grants it still; Since he who best doth poverty endure, Should prove, when rich, best brother to the poor. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PROGRESS OF POESY; A PINDARIC ODE by THOMAS GRAY THE ODYSSEY: THE GARDENS OF ALCINOUS by HOMER HEATHER ALE: A GALLOWAY LEGEND by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON ON NANUS COUNTED ON AN ANT by DECIMUS MAGNUS AUSONIUS ANDRE by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES A CONCLUSORIE HUMNE TO THE SAME WEEK; & FOR MY FRIEND by JOSEPH BEAUMONT |