Poem · Robert Herrick

Loss from the Least

“Loss from the Least” by Robert Herrick: full text of the poem (2 lines, 17 words), couplets. Public domain.

Great men by small means oft are overthrown;
He's lord of thy life, who contemns his own.

Typesetting this poem in a book

Trim (11 pt)Characters per lineLongest line
5 x 8 in55 charactersFits
5.5 x 8.5 in Digest62 charactersFits
6 x 9 in US Trade67 charactersFits
7 x 10 in Executive81 charactersFits

Poetry should not wrap mid-line; if it must, indent the turnover. See the poetry collection guide.

Sources & data