A little upright, pert, tart, tripping wight, And still his precious self his dear delight; Who loves his own smart shadow in the streets, Better than e'er the fairest she he meets; Much specious lore, but little understood, (Veneering oft outshines the solid wood), His solid sense, by inches you must tell, But mete his cunning by the Scottish ell! A man of fashion too, he made his tour, Learn'd "vive la bagatelle et vive l'amour;" So travell'd monkeys their grimace improve, Polish their grin-nay, sigh for ladies' love! His meddling vanity, a busy fiend, Still making work his selfish craft must mend. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ARAB by CHARLES STUART CALVERLEY AN ELEGY UPON THE DEATH OF DOCTOR DONNE, DEAN OF PAUL'S by THOMAS CAREW TO HIS MISTRESS OBJECTING TO HIM NEITHER TOYING OR TALKING by ROBERT HERRICK LITTLE JERRY, THE MILLER by JOHN GODFREY SAXE THE BLACKBIRD by ALFRED TENNYSON |