Who gives an empire, by the gift defeats All end of giving; and procures contempt Instead of gratitude.
Ocean into tempest wrought, To waft a feather, or to drown a fly.
Of man's miraculous mistakes, this bears The palm, "That all men are about to live."
The booby father craves a booby son, And by Heaven's blessing thinks himself undone.
Oh, how portentous is prosperity! How comet-like, it threatens while it shines.
[The] public path of life Is dirty.