May I govern my passions with absolute sway, And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away.

May I govern my passion with absolute sway, And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away

The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling passion conquers reason still.

In men, we various ruling passions find; In women two almost divide the kind; Those only fix'd, they first or last obey. The love of pleasure, and the love of sway.

And you, brave Cobham! to the latest breath Shall feel your ruling passion strong in death.

Search then the ruling passion; there alone, The wild are constant, and the cunning known; The fool consistent, and the false sincere; Priests, princes, women, no dissemblers here.