How falls it out the sincere magistrate, Who keeps the course of justice sacredly, Reaps from the people reverence and hate, But not the love which follows liberty? The cause is plain, since tax on people's good Is hardly borne; sense, having no foresight, Hates reason's works as strange to flesh and blood, Whence he that strives to keep man's heart upright Taxeth his fancies at an higher rate, And laying laws upon his frailty, Brings all his vices to a bankrupt state, So much is true worth more refined than we. Again, who tasks men's wealth, pierce but their skin; Who roots their vice out, must pierce deeper in. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WASHING-DAY by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD FATHER WILLIAM [QUESTIONED], FR. ALICE IN WONDERLAND by CHARLES LUTWIDGE DODGSON WITCHCRAFT BY A PICTURE by JOHN DONNE THE SANDS OF DEE by CHARLES KINGSLEY ALCAICS: TO H. F. BROWN by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON LAMENT FOR PIONEERS by VERNE BRIGHT BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS: BOOK 1. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY TO THE READER by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) |