John Dryden - Zimri 汉译

In the first rank of these did Zimri stand:

A man so various, that he sem’d to be

Not one, but all Mankind’s Epitome.

Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong;

Was Every thing by starts, and Nothing long:

But, in the course of one revolving Moon,

Was Chymist, Fidler, State-man, and Buffoon,

Then all for Women, Painting, Rhiming, Drinking;

Besides ten thousand Freaks that dy’d in thinking.

Blest Madman, who coud every hour employ,

With something New to wish, or to enjoy!

Railing and praising were his usual Theams;

And both (to shew his judgment) in Extreams.

So over Violent, or over Civil,

That every Man, with him, was God or Devil.

In squandering Wealth was his peculiar Art:

Nothing went unrewarded, but Desert.

Begger’d by fools, whom still he found too late:

He had his Jest, and they had his Estate.

He laugh’d himself from Court; then sought Relief

By forming Parties, but could ne’r be Chief:

For, spight of him, the weight of Business fell

On Absalom and wise Achitophel:

Thus wicked but in Will, of Means bereft,

He left not Faction, but of that was left.