This is a commodity of merchandize, words put out at interest:
A scheme for canvassing opinions, and tinging them all with partiality.
He is but a harmless fool; humour him with pitiful good-nature:
If a poetaster quote thy song, be thou tender to his poem:
Did the painter praise thy sketch? be kind, commend his picture;
He looketh for a like return; then thank him with thy praise.
In these small things with these small minds count thou the sycophant a courtier,
And pay back, as blindly as ye may, the too transparent honour.
Also, where the flattery is delicate, coming unobtrusive and in season,
Though thou be suspicious of its truth, be generous at least to its gentility.