Three warnings to John Bull
Originally entitled ’Three warning to John Bull before he dies, by an old acquaintance of the Public’. Written by Hester whilst staying at Warren’s Hotel in the winter of 1797 and published anonymously in the Spring of 1798. It retells Sir Charles Wager’s story of the Three Warnings, and then applies the fable to John Bull.
Hester Lynch Thrale 1741 - 1820The tree of deepest root is found
Least willing still to quit the ground:
’T was therefore said by ancient sages,
That love of life increased with years
So much, that in our latter stages,
When pain grows sharp and sickness rages
The greatest love of life appears.
Source: John Bartlett, comp. (1820-1905). Familiar Quotations, 9th ed. 1901. First published in Anna Williams, Miscellanies in Prose and Verse. (London: Davies, 1766), pp. 74-80.
Later published separately as The Three Warnings (Kidderminster: John Gower, 1792). Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout.
