A forcing-house of genius? Now and then

The world at large shrinks back, abashed and beaten,

Unable to endure the glare of Eton.

I think I said I knew a man: what then?

I don't suppose such knowledge is forbid.

We nearly all do, more or less, know men,—

Or think we do; nor will a man get rid

Of that delusion, while he wields a pen.

But who this man was, what, if aught, he did,

Nor why I mentioned him, I do not know;