Who had drunke deepe of the Pierian spring.

And the bard of Twickenham tells us

A little learning is a dangerous thing; ·

Drink deep or taste not the Pierian spring.

Then, warmly walled with books,

While my wood-fire supplied the sun’s defect,

Whispering old forest-sagas in its dreams,

I take my May down from the happy shelf

Where perch the world’s rare song-birds in a row,

Waiting my choice to open with full breast,