He also recommends it to us,
"To speak, though sure, with seeming diffidence."
And he might have joined with this line that which he has coupled with another, I think, less properly.
"For want of modesty is want of sense."
If you ask why less properly, I must repeat the lines,
"Immodest words admit of no defence,
For want of modesty is want of sense."
Now is not the want of sense (where a man is so unfortunate as to want it) some apology for his want of modesty? and would not the lines stand more justly thus?
"Immodest words admit but this defence,
That want of modesty is want of sense."
This, however, I should submit to better judgments.