John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
Sir John Denham 1615-1669 John Bartlett
| 1 |
| Though with those streams he no resemblance hold, Whose foam is amber and their gravel gold; His genuine and less guilty wealth t’ explore, Search not his bottom, but survey his shore. |
| Cooper’s Hill. Line 165. |
| 2 |
| Oh, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull; Strong without rage; without o’erflowing, full. |
| Cooper’s Hill. Line 189. |
| 3 |
| Actions of the last age are like almanacs of the last year. |
| The Sophy. A Tragedy. |
| 4 |
| But whither am I strayed? I need not raise Trophies to thee from other men’s dispraise; Nor is thy fame on lesser ruins built; Nor needs thy juster title the foul guilt Of Eastern kings, who, to secure their reign, Must have their brothers, sons, and kindred slain. 1 |
| On Mr. John Fletcher’s Works. |
| Note 1. Poets are sultans, if they had their will; For every author would his brother kill. Orrery: Prologues (according to Johnson). Should such a man, too fond to rule alone, Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne. Alexander Pope: Prologue to the Satires, line 197. [back] |