Upon the choice bits of a savoury carp,
And prove by logic that his summum bonum
Lies in his head; there you can lecture well,
And, whilst your grey-beards wag, the gaping guest
Sits wondering with a foolish face of praise.—Cumberland.
Antiphanes. (Book iii. § 62, p. 172.)
O, what a fool is he,
Who dreams about stability, or thinks,
Good easy dolt! that aught in life's secure!
Security!—either a loan is ask'd;
Then house and all that it contains are gone
At one fell sweep—or you've a suit to meet,
And Law and Ruin ever are twin-brothers.—
Art named to a general's post? fines, penalties,
And debts upon the heels of office follow.
Do the stage-charges fall upon you? good:
The chorus must go clad in spangled robes,
Yourself may pace in rags. Far happier he
Who's named a trierarch:—he buys a halter
And wisely balks at once th' expensive office.—
Sleeping or waking, on the sea or land,
Among your menials or before your foes,
Danger and Insecurity are with you.
The very table, charged with viands, is
Mere mock'ry oft;—gives promise to the eye,
And breaks it to the lip. Is there nought safe then?
Yes, by the gods,—that which has pass'd the teeth,
And is in a state of deglutition: reckon
Yourself secure of that, and that alone:
All else is fleet, precarious, insecure.—Mitchell.
Alexis. (Book iii. § 86, p. 194.)
A. I must have all accounted for:
Item by item, charge by charge; or look ye:—
There's not a stiver to be had from me.
