Mocking at the conceptions which the tongue

Is weak to utter; venting heart-felt truths

In startling shape preposterous; with a smile

At incongruity of our poor thoughts

To match our endless weight of destiny;

Yea, at himself, to see intention yoked

So strangely with performance, which still paced

Unequally, and limped or dragged behind.

His intellect was keen-edged as the sword

Of Saladin, well-matched with battle-axe