Alexander Pope

The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.

The doubtful beam long nods from side to side.

Lull'd by soft zephyrs thro' the broken pane.

Lull'd by soft zephyrs thro' the broken pane.

To John I owed great obligation:
But John unhandsomely thought fit
To publish it to all the read more

To John I owed great obligation:
But John unhandsomely thought fit
To publish it to all the nation;
Sure John and I are more than quit.

'Tis thus the mercury of man is fix'd,
Strong grows the virtue with his nature mix'd.

'Tis thus the mercury of man is fix'd,
Strong grows the virtue with his nature mix'd.

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.