To con, with inexpressive look,
An unintelligible book.'
Low spake the voice within his head,
In words imagined more than said,
Soundless as ghost's intended tread:
'If thou art duller than before,
Why quittedst thou the voice of lore?
Why not endure, expecting more?'
'Rather than that,' he groaned aghast,
'I'd writhe in depths of cavern vast,