Samuel Butler

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is read more

He'd undertake to prove, by force
Of argument, a man's no horse.
He'd prove a buzzard is no fowl,
And that a Lord may be an owl,
A calf an Alderman, a goose a Justice,
And rooks, Committee-men or Trustees.

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further read more

For as our modern wits behold,
Mounted a pick-back on the old,
Much farther off, much further he,
Rais'd on his aged Beast, could see.

In mathematics he was greater
Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater;
For he, by geometric scale,
read more

In mathematics he was greater
Than Tycho Brahe, or Erra Pater;
For he, by geometric scale,
Could take the size of pots of ale.

Opinions have vested interests just as men have.

Opinions have vested interests just as men have.

To live is to love; all reason is against it; instinct is for it.

To live is to love; all reason is against it; instinct is for it.