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A happy genius is the gift of nature.

John Dryden

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John Dryden
Age: 68 †
Born: 1631
Born: August 7
Died: 1700
Died: May 12
Hymnwriter
Literary Critic
Playwright
Poet
Translator
Aldwincle
Northamptonshire
Happy
Nature
Gift
Genius

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Imagination in a poet is a faculty so wild and lawless that, like a high ranging spaniel, it must have clogs tied to it, lest it outrun the judgment. The great easiness of blank verse renders the poet too luxuriant. He is tempted to say many things which might better be omitted, or, at least shut up in fewer words.
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She feared no danger, for she knew no sin.
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When a man's life is under debate, The judge can ne'er too long deliberate.
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For every inch that is not fool, is rogue.
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Home is the sacred refuge of our life.
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An ugly woman in a rich habit set out with jewels nothing can become.
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The secret pleasure of a generous act Is the great mind's great bribe.
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Fortune's unjust she ruins oft the brave, and him who should be victor, makes the slave.
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Bets at first were fool-traps, where the wise like spiders lay in ambush for the flies.
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He was exhaled his great Creator drew His spirit, as the sun the morning dew.
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No government has ever been, or can ever be, wherein time-servers and blockheads will not be uppermost.
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Welcome, thou kind deceiver! Thou best of thieves who, with an easy key, Dost open life, and, unperceived by us, Even steal us from ourselves.
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Rhyme is the rock on which thou art to wreck.
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Learn to write well, or not to write at all.
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As when the dove returning bore the mark Of earth restored to the long labouring ark The relics of mankind, secure at rest, Oped every window to receive the guest, And the fair bearer of the message bless'd.
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Railing in other men may be a crime, But ought to pass for mere instinct in him: Instinct he follows and no further knows, For to write verse with him is to transprose.
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Youth, beauty, graceful action seldom fail: But common interest always will prevail And pity never ceases to be shown To him who makes the people's wrongs his own.
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Men's virtues I have commended as freely as I have taxed their crimes.
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Even victors are by victories undone.
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Reason to rule, mercy to forgive: The first is law, the last prerogative. Life is an adventure in forgiveness.
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