But see, an angry disputant steps forth-- His humble mien a proud heart ill conceals In holy guise inclining to the earth, Offering to God the venom he distils. "Beneath all this a dangerous poison lies; So--every man is neither right nor wrong, And, since we never can be truly wise, By instinct only should be driven along." "Sir, I've not said a word to that effect." "It's true, you've artfully disguised your meaning." "But, Sir, my judgment ever is correct." "Sir, in this case, 'tis rather overweening. Let truth be sought, but let all passion yield; 'Discussion's right, and disputation's wrong;' This have I said--and that at court, in field, Or town, one often should restrain one's tongue." "But, my dear Sir, you've still a double sense; I can distinguish--" "Sir, with all my heart; I've told my thoughts with all due deference, And crave the like indulgence on your part." "My son, all 'thinking' is a grievous crime; So I'll denounce you without loss of time." Blest would be they who, from fanatic power, From carping censors, envious critics, free, O'er Helicon might roam in liberty, And unmolested pluck each fragrant flower! So does the farmer, in his healthy fields, Far from the ills in swarming towns that spring, Taste the pure joys that our existence yields, Extract the honey and escape the sting. [Illustration: "Truth from her deep hiding-place remove once more to witness what is done above"] DISTANCE. A man who knows how to reckon the paces from one end of his house to the other might imagine that nature had all at once taught him this distance and that he has only need of a _coup d'œil_, as in the case of colors. He is deceived; the different distances of objects can be known only by experience, comparison, and habit. It is that which makes a sailor, on seeing a vessel afar off, able to say without hesitation what distance his own vessel is from it, of which distance a passenger would only form a very confused idea. Distance is only the line from a given object to ourselves. This line terminates at a point; and whether the object be a thousand leagues from us or only a foot, this point is always the same to our eyes.