But also by that ridiculous creature the gnat—in Latin ’tis called culex pipiens.
Laughter was good for the gods of Homer; but we are not gods nor Homeric,
And laughter too audibly laughed betrays the void mind of the laugher.
Therefore, instead of cachinnating, I smile with supernal sarcasm
To think that a gnat should dare to flout the stringer of proverbial pearls
On silken threads of verse, strengthened and made indestructible
By wax from philosophy’s beehive warmed in the sun of experience;
But oh! Raptorial Bird! oh, vilest of all the culicides!
Emblems both of the critics, carnivorous and sharp-stinging reviewers,
I will be even with you now. I’ll fly, but not on waxen wings like silly Icarus—