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Poem
September 4, 1787
The New York Packet
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A poem advising a man of uneven conversational spirits to seek balance, avoiding extremes of excessive laughter or gloom, and favoring good humor, ease, and moderation in social interaction.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER
To a MAN of lively but unequal Spirits in CONVERSATION.
A Flaring light fatigues and hurts the eye;
In lifeless shade we nothing can descry.
Avoid extremes: an universal rule!
Though rarely understood by any fool.
Incessant laughers weary me; but then,
I tire alike of dull and gloomy men.
Your gloomy men, who frown at harmless glee,
Were never made, my friend, for you or me.
Yet still 'twere better to be sometimes dull,
Than of most things to seem forever full.
A clever fellow!—He who courts that name,
Of solid sense will scarce endure the same.
Good humour, ease, and just remark between,
In conversation form the happy mean.
To a MAN of lively but unequal Spirits in CONVERSATION.
A Flaring light fatigues and hurts the eye;
In lifeless shade we nothing can descry.
Avoid extremes: an universal rule!
Though rarely understood by any fool.
Incessant laughers weary me; but then,
I tire alike of dull and gloomy men.
Your gloomy men, who frown at harmless glee,
Were never made, my friend, for you or me.
Yet still 'twere better to be sometimes dull,
Than of most things to seem forever full.
A clever fellow!—He who courts that name,
Of solid sense will scarce endure the same.
Good humour, ease, and just remark between,
In conversation form the happy mean.
What sub-type of article is it?
Epigram
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Conversation
Balance
Good Humour
Extremes
Moral Instruction
Social Manners
Poem Details
Title
To A Man Of Lively But Unequal Spirits In Conversation.
Subject
To A Man Of Lively But Unequal Spirits In Conversation
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Avoid Extremes: An Universal Rule! Though Rarely Understood By Any Fool.
Good Humour, Ease, And Just Remark Between, In Conversation Form The Happy Mean.