Praise me not too much, Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks Who know me.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

Urge him with truth to frame his fair replies; And sure he will; for wisdom never lies.

Fly, dotard, fly! With thy wise dreams and fables of the sky.

Having well polished the whole bow, he added a golden tip.

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow For other's good, and melt at other's woe.