Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

And don't confound the language of the nation
With long-tailed words in osity and ation.

And don't confound the language of the nation
With long-tailed words in osity and ation.

You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
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You taught me language, and my profit on't
Is, I know how to curse. The red plague rid you
For learning me your language!

I am the King of Rome, and above grammar.
[Lat., Ego sum rex Romanus, et supra grammaticam.]

I am the King of Rome, and above grammar.
[Lat., Ego sum rex Romanus, et supra grammaticam.]

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
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And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
This gain of our best glory shall be sent,
T' enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th' yet unformed Occident
May come refin'd with th' accents that are ours?

Who climbs the grammar-tree, distinctly knows
Where noun, and verb, and participle grows.

Who climbs the grammar-tree, distinctly knows
Where noun, and verb, and participle grows.

Language tethers us to the world; without it we spin like atoms.

Language tethers us to the world; without it we spin like atoms.

All true language is incomprehensible, like the chatter of a beggar's teeth.

All true language is incomprehensible, like the chatter of a beggar's teeth.

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?