1. Lest it may more quarrels breed I will never hear you read. 2. By disputing I will never To convince you, once endeavour. 3. When a paradox you stick to, I will never contradict you. 4. When I talk, and you are heedless, I will show no anger needless. 5. When your speeches are absurd, I will ne'er object one word. 6. When you furious argue wrong, I will grieve, and hold my tongue. 7. Not a jest, or humorous story, Will I ever tell before ye: To be chidden for explaining When you quite mistake the meaning. 8. Never more will I suppose You can taste my verse or prose: 9. You no more at me shall fret, While I teach, and you forget; 10. You shall never hear me thunder, When you blunder on, and blunder. 11. Show your poverty of spirit, And in dress place all your merit; Give yourself ten thousand airs That with me shall break no squares. 12. Never will I give advice Till you please to ask me thrice; Which, if you in scorn reject, 'Twill be just as I expect. Thus we both shall have our ends, And continue special friends. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PRAYER TO THE OCEAN by GEORGE SANTAYANA BELISARIUS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE FLIGHT OF LOVE by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY THE MAGI by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS THE FORMER LIFE by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE LITTLE GREGORY by THEODORE BOTREL VERSES FOR A NOBLE EARL'S PICTURE by ROBERT BURNS |