ALK in the Park—you'll seldom fail
To find a Sybaris on the rail
By Lydia's ponies,
Or hap on Barrus, wigged, and stayed,
Ogling some unsuspecting maid.
The great Gargilius, then, behold!
His "long-bow" hunting tales of old
Are now but duller;
Fair Neobule too! Is not
One Hebrus here—from Aldershot?
Aha, you colour!
Be wise. There old Canidia sits;
No doubt she's tearing you to bits.
Here's Pyrrha, "golden-haired" at will;
Prig Damasippus, preaching still;
Asterie flirting,—
Radiant, of course. We'll make her black,—
Ask her when Gyges' ship comes back.
Austin Dobson, Vignettes in Rhyme.
A reconnaissance de la plupart des hommes n'est qu'une secrète envie de recevoir de plus grands bienfaits.
La Rochefoucauld, Réflexions.
HE surest way to make ourselves agreeable to others is by seeming to think them so.
W. Hazlitt, Characteristics.