Samuel Butler

The truest characters of ignorance
Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance.

The truest characters of ignorance
Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance.

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.

This was the penn'worth of his thought.

This was the penn'worth of his thought.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

Like men condemned to thunderbolts,
Who, ere the blow, become mere dolts.

With books and money placed, for show
Like nest eggs, to make clients lay,
And for his read more

With books and money placed, for show
Like nest eggs, to make clients lay,
And for his false opinion pay.