John Dryden

I was walking through the library, and found a book of John Dryden's poems. I opened it (it just happened to be the chapter on his satirical and didactic poems)to inhale the old-book-smell, and came across this poem. Here is a taste:

Shimei-Slingsby Bethel-the Republican sheriff of the city:
"But he, though bad, is followed by a worse,
The wretch, who heaven's anointed dared to curse;
Shimei-whose youth did early promise bring
Of zeal to God, and hatred to his King-
Did wisely from expensive sins refrain,
And never broke the Sabbath but for gain:
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent,
Or curse, unless against the government.
...During his office treason was no crime,
The sons of Belial had a glorious time:
For Shimei, though not prodigal of pelf,
Yet loved his wicked neighbors as himself.

I had never read John Dryden before and I thought this interesting. My favorite, was line 7-8...