On Conversation (1782) [ Concepts ]
… 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 day brought forth, Compress the sum into its … power, Obscure or quench a faculty that finds Its happiest soil in the serenest minds? Religion curbs indeed its wanton play, And brings the trifler under rigorous sway, But gives it usefulness unknown before, And purifying, makes it shine … learned without pride, Exact, yet not precise, though meek, keen-eyed; A man that would have foil'd at their own play A dozen would-be's of the modern day; Who, when occasion justified its use, Had wit as bright as ready to produce, …
Conversation | Crime
Anthology