On Conversation (1782) [ Concepts ]
… a deal of glee Those seeds of science call'd his A B C; So language in the mouths of the adult, Witness its insignificant result, Too often proves an implement of play, A toy to sport with, and pass time away. Collect at evening what the … though not so light as he: A shallow brain behind a serious mask, An oracle within an empty cask, The solemn fop; significant and budge; A fool with judges, amongst fools a judge. He says but little, and that little said Owes all its weight, … the lap of covenanted rest! What, always dreaming over heavenly things, Like angel-heads in stone with pigeon-wings? Canting and whining out all day the word, And half the night? fanatic and absurd! Mine be the friend less frequent in his …
Conversation | Crime
Anthology