He will not, can not, turn to nought,
Nor cancel as a thing undone
What once the flying hour has brought.
(III, xxix, 41.)
Be moderate! He that denies himself shall gain the more (III, xvi, 21). He that ruleth his spirit is better than the lord of Carthage. Hold fast the golden mean (II, x, 5). The poor man's supper, spare but neat and free from care, with no state upon the board except his heirloom silver saltcellar, is better than a stalled ox and care therewith (II, xvi, 13). And he practised what he preached, refusing still fresh bounties which Maecenas pressed upon him. What more want I than I have? he says:
Truth is mine with genius mixed,
The rich man comes and knocks at my poor gate.
Favoured thus I ne'er repine,
Nor weary Heaven for more, nor to the great
For larger bounty pray,