Lxix. The Character Of A True Philosopher Poem by Ellis Walker

If you have learn'd to live on homely food,
To feed on roots, and lupines, be not proud,
Since ev'ry beggar may be prais'd for that,
He eats as little, is as temperate:
So if you drink cold water, and abstain
From all such liquors as affect the brain,
Why should you seek occasions to declare
How moderate, how abstemious you are?
For what advantage by it can you gain,
If in your sober cups you still are vain?
Would you innure yourself to undergo
The wrath of winter, play with frost and snow;
Let it not be in public, nor embrace
Cold marble statues in the market-place:
But would you to the very height aspire
Of bearing much, first bridle your desire
Of being prais'd; take water in your mouth
When your parch'd vitals almost crack with drought,
And in the very pangs of thirst restrain,
And without boasting spit it out again.