In giving to his brethren their full meed
Of merit—and complaint of present days
Is not the certain path to future praise.
IX.
He that reserves his laurels for posterity
(Who does not often claim the bright reversion)
Has generally no great crop to spare it, he
Being only injured by his own assertion;
And although here and there some glorious rarity
Arise like Titan from the sea's immersion,