EQUIVOCATION

by: Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

      OME have learn't many tricks of sly evasion,
      Instead of truth they use equivocation,
      And eke it out with mental reservation,
      Which, to good men, is an abomination.
      Our smith of late most wonderfully swore,
      That whilst he breathed he would drink no more,
      But since, I know his meaning, for I think,
      He meant he would not breathe whilst he did drink.

"Equivocation" is reprinted from Poor Richard's Almanack. January, 1736.

MORE POEMS BY BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

RELATED LINKS

BROWSE THE POETRY ARCHIVE:

[ A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z ]

Home · Poetry Store · Links · Email · © 2002 Poetry-Archive.com