The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
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The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | ||
EPIGRAM CXXXII.
[To a noted optician, a grave sober man]
CORRIGE SODES.
To a noted optician, a grave sober man,
In these terms his address for assistance began,
“If with me, like my neighbours, you think 'twould succeed,
“I would purchase a glass, that should help me to read.”
In these terms his address for assistance began,
“If with me, like my neighbours, you think 'twould succeed,
“I would purchase a glass, that should help me to read.”
Number this, number that, no effect would produce;
Concave, and convex, were alike of no use;
The shop was all rummag'd for old ware and new;
But nothing came of it—for nothing would do.
Concave, and convex, were alike of no use;
The shop was all rummag'd for old ware and new;
But nothing came of it—for nothing would do.
250
“'Tis strange,” said the artist, “you see none the better;
“Cannot all these varieties show you a letter?”
“Show a letter?” quoth he, “yes, by hundreds they show 'em;
“I can see fast enough—what I want is to know 'em.”
“Cannot all these varieties show you a letter?”
“Show a letter?” quoth he, “yes, by hundreds they show 'em;
“I can see fast enough—what I want is to know 'em.”
The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | ||