1. Lest it may more quarrels breed I will never hear you read. 2. By disputing I will never To convince you, once endeavour. 3. When a paradox you stick to, I will never contradict you. 4. When I talk, and you are heedless, I will show no anger needless. 5. When your speeches are absurd, I will ne'er object one word. 6. When you furious argue wrong, I will grieve, and hold my tongue. 7. Not a jest, or humorous story, Will I ever tell before ye: To be chidden for explaining When you quite mistake the meaning. 8. Never more will I suppose You can taste my verse or prose: 9. You no more at me shall fret, While I teach, and you forget; 10. You shall never hear me thunder, When you blunder on, and blunder. 11. Show your poverty of spirit, And in dress place all your merit; Give yourself ten thousand airs That with me shall break no squares. 12. Never will I give advice Till you please to ask me thrice; Which, if you in scorn reject, 'Twill be just as I expect. Thus we both shall have our ends, And continue special friends. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A TRIBUTE OF GRASSES by HAMLIN GARLAND A SHROPSHIRE LAD: 40 by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN A BIRTHDAY by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI SONNET FROM JAPAN: 2. THE SHRINE OF THE PILGRIM SANDALS by ADELAIDE NICHOLS BAKER LILIES: 10. SOUL-PAIN by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 14. 'I LOVE THEE' by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |