John Godfrey Saxe

"Laws, like sausages, cease to inspire respect in proportion as we know how they are made."

"It was six men of Hindustan To learning much inclined, Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind) That each by observation Might satisfy the mind."

"And so these men of Hindustan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right And all were in the wrong. So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!"

"Again I hear the creaking step! — He's rapping at the door! — Too well I know the boding sound That ushers in a bore."

"In vain I speak of urgent tasks; In vain I scowl and pout; A frown is no extinguisher — It does not put him out!"

"He takes the strangest liberties — But never takes his leave!"

"Young men! it 's a critical thing to go Exactly right with a lady in tow; But when you are in the proper track, Just go ahead, and never look back!"

"Don't use strong drink, — pray let me advise, — It 's bad for the stomach, and ruins the eyes;"

"INGLORIOUS friend! most confident I am Thy life is one of very little ease; Albeit men mock thee with their similes And prate of being "happy as a clam!""

""God bless the man who first invented sleep!" So Sancho Panza said, and so say I."

"But blast the man, with curses loud and deep, Whate'er the rascal's name, or age, or station, Who first invented, and went round advising, That artificial cut-off, — Early Rising!"

"I like the lad who, when his father thought To clip his morning nap by hackneyed phrase Of vagrant worm by early songster caught, Cried, "Served him right! — it's not at all surprising; The worm was punished, sir, for early rising!""

""Once more, my gallant boys!" he cried: "Three times! — you know the fable, — (I'll make it thirty," muttered he, "But I will lay the cable!")"

"NAY, weep not, dearest, though the child be dead; He lives again in Heaven's unclouded life,"

"What Lowely meant she didn't know For she always avoided "everything low,""

"I'm growing fonder of my staff; I'm growing dimmer in the eyes; I'm growing fainter in my laugh; I'm growing deeper in my sighs; I'm growing careless of my dress; I'm growing frugal of my gold; I'm growing wise; I'm growing — yes, — I'm growing old!"

"I asked of Echo 't other day (Whose words are few and often funny), What to a novice she could say Of courtship, love, and matrimony. Quoth Echo, plainly, — "Matter-o'-money.""

"'T is wise to learn; 't is God-like to create."

"A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But she was rich, and he was poor, And so it might not be."

"A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But he was high and she was low, And so it might not be."

"A youth would marry a maiden, For fair and fond was she; But their sires disputed about the Mass, And so it might not be."

"Bless me! this is pleasant Riding on the Rail."

"The Poet's License! — 't is the right, Within the rule of duty, To look on all delightful things Throughout the world of beauty. To gaze with rapture at the stars That in the skies are glowing; To see the gems of perfect dye That in the woods are growing, — And more than sage astronomer, And more than learned florist, To read the glorious homilies Of Firmament and Forest."

"When Nature gives a gorgeous rose, Or yields the simplest fern, She writes this motto on the leaves, — "To whom it may concern!" And so it is the poet comes And revels in her bowers, And, — though another hold the land, Is owner of the flowers."

"In battle or business, whatever the game, In law or in love, it is ever the same; In the struggle for power, or the scramble for pelf, Let this be your motto, — Rely on yourself! For, whether the prize be a ribbon or throne, The victor is he who can go it alone!"