BULLER. In a moment. _I_ am not able to affirm that a Poet of high and sound faculties _must_ have the talent for conducting himself with prudence in the common affairs of life; and really _that_ is what seems to me to be _Common Sense_. TALBOYS. Be done now--you cannot better it. BULLER. About the Poet what can I say that every body does not know and say in all the weekly newspapers. Why, gentlemen, the Mission of the Poet is to fight the fight of the Spirit against the flesh, and to extend the reign of the Beautiful. Also, he is the Prophet of ®gnôthi seauton®: and the finest of wordmongers. The words that he touches turn all to gold. He is the subtlest of thinkers. _Our_ best discipline of thinking has been from the Poets. Compare Shakspeare and Euclid. TALBOYS. From you! Buller, you astonish me. BULLER. Astonishment is sometimes proof of a weak mind. NORTH. There seem to be two Common Senses. Goldsmith appears to be viewed as an eminent case of wanting it, in conduct--the practical--for his own use. But the theoretical--for judging others--imaginary cases--characterises that immortal work, _The Vicar of Wakefield_: and the theoretical, for judging other men real, existing, and known, his _Retaliation_. The criticism of Burke, for instance, is all exalted Common Sense-- "Who, born for the Universe, narrowed his mind, And to Party gave up what was meant for Mankind." That is the larger grasp of common Sense rising into high Sense. "And thought of convincing while they thought of dining" is its homelier scope. SEWARD. Common Sense is the lower part of complete Good Sense. Shakspeare and Phidias must use Good Sense in governing their whole composition; which Common Sense could not reach; and a man might have good sense in composing a group in marble, yet want it in governing his family. But Phidias executing a Venus with a blunt notched chisel, would want Common Sense. NORTH.