Page 366

Samuel Johnson. (1709–1784) (continued)

3991

Must helpless man, in ignorance sedate,
Roll darkling down the torrent of his fate?

Vanity of Human Wishes. Line 345.

3992

For patience, sov’reign o’er transmuted ill.

Vanity of Human Wishes. Line 362.

3993

Of all the griefs that harass the distrest,
Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest. 1

London. Line 166.

3994

This mournful truth is ev’rywhere confess’d,—
Slow rises worth by poverty depress’d. 2

London. Line 176.

3995

Studious to please, yet not ashamed to fail.

Prologue to the Tragedy of Irene.

3996

Each change of many-colour’d life he drew,
Exhausted worlds, and then imagin’d new.

Prologue on the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre.

3997

And panting Time toil’d after him in vain.

Prologue on the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre.

3998

For we that live to please must please to live.

Prologue on the Opening of Drury Lane Theatre.

3999

    Catch, then, oh catch the transient hour;
  Improve each moment as it flies!
Life ’s a short summer, man a flower;
  He dies—alas! how soon he dies!

Winter. An Ode.

4000

Officious, innocent, sincere,
Of every friendless name the friend.

Verses on the Death of Mr. Robert Levet. Stanza 2.

4001

    In misery’s darkest cavern known,
  His useful care was ever nigh 3
Where hopeless anguish pour’d his groan,
  And lonely want retir’d to die.

Verses on the Death of Mr. Robert Levet. Stanza 5.

4002

And sure th’ Eternal Master found
His single talent well employ’d.

Verses on the Death of Mr. Robert Levet. Stanza 7.

Note 1.
Nothing in poverty so ill is borne
As its exposing men to grinning scorn.
Oldham (1653–1683): Third Satire of Juvenal. [back]

Note 2.
Three years later Johnson wrote, “Mere unassisted merit advances slowly, if—what is not very common—it advances at all.” [back]

Note 3.
Var. His ready help was always nigh. [back]

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