Alexander Pope

Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, powders, patches, bibles, billet-doux.

Here files of pins extend their shining rows,
Puffs, powders, patches, bibles, billet-doux.

Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
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Oh, sons of earth! attempt ye still to rise.
By mountains pil'd on mountains to the skies?
Heav'n still with laughter the vain toil surveys,
And buries madmen in the heaps they raise.

Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit read more

Expression is the dress of thought, and still
Appears more decent as more suitable;
A vile conceit in pompous words express'd,
Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.

Destroy his fib, or sophistry--in vain!
The creature's at his dirty work again.

Destroy his fib, or sophistry--in vain!
The creature's at his dirty work again.