The search

"Athens I seek for honest men,

But I shall find them God knows when.

I'll search the city, where I can see

One honest man, he shall go home with me."

An odd day's work Diogenes once made

And 'twas to seek an honest man, he sayed.

Through Athens with a lantern he did go

When people saw no cause he should do so

For it was mid-day and the sun did shine,

Yet he unto a humor did incline.

"Oh, Athens I seek … etc."

He spake as free to Alexander's face

As if the meanest plowman were in his place.

'Twas no men's persons that he did respect,

No matter where he looked, vice he did detect.

Imagine you see him walking your streets

And everyone's a knave with whom he meets.

Note their descriptions, which good censure craves,

Then judge if he rightly might count them all knaves.

"Oh, Athens I seek … etc."