Whether old schemes or only supplemental;-- And had, by virtue of his wisdom-tooth, A dental knowledge of the transcendental! The other is a shrewd severer wight, Sharp argument hath worn him nigh the bone: For why? he never let dispute alone, A logical knight-errant, That wrangled ever--morning, noon, and night, From night to morn; he had no wife apparent But Barbara Celárent! Woe unto him he caught in a dilemma, For on the point of his two fingers full He took the luckless wight, and gave with them a Most deadly toss, like any baited bull. Woe unto him that ever dared to breathe A sophism in his angry ear! for _that_ He took ferociously between his teeth, And shook it--like a terrier with a rat!-- In fact old Controversy ne’er begat One half so cruel And dangerous as he, in verbal duel! No one had ever so complete a fame As a debater; And for art logical his name was greater Than Dr. Watts’s name!-- Look how they sit together! Two bitter desperate antagonists, Licking each other with their tongues, like fists, Merely to settle whether This world of ours had ever a beginning-- Whether created, Vaguely undated, Or time had any finger in its spinning: When, lo!--for they are sitting at the basement-- A hand, like that upon Belshazzar’s wall, Lets fall A written paper through the open casement. “O foolish wits! (thus runs the document) To twist your brains into a double knot On such a barren question! Be content That there is such a fair and pleasant spot For your enjoyment as this verdant earth. Go eat and drink, and give your hearts to mirth, For vainly ye contend; Before you can decide about its birth, The world will have an end!” LITTLE O’P.--AN AFRICAN FACT.