Give me, kind Heaven, a private station,

A mind serene for contemplation:

Title and profit I resign;

The post of honour shall be mine.

John Gay (1688-1732): Fables. Part ii. The Vulture, the Sparrow, and other Birds.

Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere,

In action faithful, and in honour clear;

Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end,

Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Epistle to Mr. Addison. Line 67.

Titles are marks of honest men, and wise;

The fool or knave that wears a title lies.

Edward Young (1684-1765): Love of Fame. Satire i. Line 145.

Than a successive title long and dark,

Drawn from the mouldy rolls of Noah's ark.

John Dryden (1631-1701): Absalom and Achitophel. Part i. Line 301.

O thou! whatever title please thine ear,

Dean, Drapier, Bickerstaff, or Gulliver!

Whether thou choose Cervantes' serious air,

Or laugh and shake in Rabelais' easy-chair.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): The Dunciad. Book i. Line 19.