Page 214

Samuel Butler. (1612–1680) (continued)

2397

He that imposes an oath makes it,
Not he that for convenience takes it;
Then how can any man be said
To break an oath he never made?

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto ii. Line 377.

2398

As the ancients
Say wisely, have a care o’ th’ main chance, 1
And look before you ere you leap; 2
For as you sow, ye are like to reap. 3

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto ii. Line 501.

2399

Doubtless the pleasure is as great
Of being cheated as to cheat. 4

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 1.

2400

He made an instrument to know
If the moon shine at full or no.

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 261.

2401

Each window like a pill’ry appears,
With heads thrust thro’ nail’d by the ears.

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 391.

2402

To swallow gudgeons ere they ’re catch’d,
And count their chickens ere they ’re hatch’d.

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 923.

2403

There ’s but the twinkling of a star
Between a man of peace and war.

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 957.

2404

But Hudibras gave him a twitch
As quick as lightning in the breech,
Just in the place where honour ’s lodg’d,
As wise philosophers have judg’d;
Because a kick in that part more
Hurts honour than deep wounds before.

Hudibras. Part ii. Canto iii. Line 1065.

2405

As men of inward light are wont
To turn their optics in upon ’t.

Hudibras. Part iii. Canto i. Line 481.

Note 1.
See Lyly, Quotation 11. [back]

Note 2.
See Heywood, Quotation 8. [back]

Note 3.
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.—Galatians vi. [back]

Note 4.
This couplet is enlarged on by Swift in his “Tale of a Tub,” where he says that the happiness of life consists in being well deceived. [back]

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