Vile, as by thee perverted, is its sense, base man.
Thy case resemblance has with one of silly fly,
Who once upon a time himself thought very high.
Intoxicated was he, though he’d sipp’d no wine.
Like sunbeam’s mote he saw himself most gaily shine.195
He’d heard of noble falcons scorning lure and cage;
And straightway dubbed himself the phœnix of the age.
Our fly on scrap of straw, in pool from ass’s ease,
Had poised himself, as though a sailor on the seas.
Then cried: “Lo! I’ve called forth a sea and ship at will.