Alexander Pope

Say, will the falcon, stooping from above,
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove?
Admires the read more

Say, will the falcon, stooping from above,
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove?
Admires the jay the insect's gilded wings?
Or hears the hawk when Philomela sings?

Some positive persisting fops we know,
Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so;
But you read more

Some positive persisting fops we know,
Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so;
But you with pleasure own your errors past,
And make each day a critique on the last.

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.

Condemned whole years in absence to deplore,
And image charms he must behold no more.

Condemned whole years in absence to deplore,
And image charms he must behold no more.

A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious read more

A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of bees, will often be stung for his curiosity.