Classic Poem

I.

Why should we That Ambition call,
To get at Court a servile Place,
Where to please One, we flatter All,
And must gain Honour by Disgrace;
Where for our Pleasure, and our Ease,
We suffer Pain and Weariness?

II.

 Where all things we must say, or do
Which farthest are from Mind or Heart;
Still Those who run from Us pursue,
And to gain Trust with Virtue part,
Where we (our selves more high to raise)
Our Faith and Honour must debase.

III.

 Where we must say as Great Fools say,
Do what Great Knaves will have us do,
That we for Wits with Coxcombs may,
With Fools for Politicians, go;
To gain Court-favour there, and Praise,
With all the World besides Disgrace.

IV.

 Where we must flatter Him we hate.
Or what is worse Him we despise:
To broken Slumbers lie down late,
And early to proud Levees rise.
Must pass our Youth in real Pain,
For Ease in Age to hope in vain.

V.

 Where we must change Day into Night,
Night into Day, at others Will;
Must take Disgusts to give Delight,
And slight good Men to honour Ill;
Make many Foes, nay be our Own,
To gain a Friend where there is none.