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When civil fury first grew high

Quote bySamuel Butler (poet) · 1612–1680

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Part I (1663–1664), Canto I, first lines.

English (original)

When civil fury first grew high, And men fell out, they knew not why; When hard words, jealousies, and fears, Set folks together by the ears, And made them fight, like mad or drunk, For Dame Religion, as for punk; Whose honesty they all durst swear for, Though not a man of them knew wherefore

— Samuel Butler (poet)

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