| |
| LIKE 1 a top which runneth round | |
| And never winneth any ground; | |
| Or th’ dying scion of a vine | |
| That rather breaks than it will twine; | |
| Or th’ sightless mole whose life is spent | 5 |
| Divided from her element; | |
| Or plants removed from Tagus’ shore | |
| Who never bloom nor blossom more; | |
| Or dark Cimmerians who delight | |
| In shady shroud of pitchy night; | 10 |
| Or mopping apes who are possessed | |
| Their cubs are ever prettiest: | |
| So he who makes his own opinion | |
| To be his one and only minion, | |
| Nor will incline in any season | 15 |
| To th’ weight of proof or strength of reason, | |
| But prefers will precipitate | |
| ’Fore judgment that’s deliberate; | |
| He ne’er shall lodge within my roof | |
| Till, rectified by due reproof, | 20 |
| He labours to reform this ill | |
| By giving way to others’ will. | |
