Quote
"Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet, sprung from high, is of celestial seed; In God tis glory; and when men aspire, Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire."
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Absalom and Achitophel"Doeg, though without knowing how or why, Made still a blundering kind of melody; Spurred boldly on, and dashed through thick and thin, Through sense and nonsense, never out nor in; Free from all meaning, whether good or bad, And, in one word, heroically mad."
Absalom and Achitophel is a celebrated satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic couplets and first published in 1681. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681). The poem also references the Popish Plot (16
"Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Yet, sprung from high, is of celestial seed; In God tis glory; and when men aspire, Tis but a spark too much of heavenly fire."
"His courage foes, his friends his truth proclaim."
"The people have a right supreme To make their kings; for kings are made for them."
"Better one suffer than a nation grieve."
"In pious times, ere priestcraft did begin, Before polygamy was made a sin."
"What cannot praise effect in mighty minds, When flattery sooths, and when ambition blinds?"