English poem
Epigram To A Conceited & Affected, But Handsome Woman
by Thomas Oldham (1816–1878)
Why, when I praise you, Ma'am, why tell me flat, All flattery you despise?— Self-love, the greatest flatterer, tells you that, And I am sure he lies. * * * * * What a strong contrast to most modern sages Were some philosophers of ancient ages! E'en Socrates, so wise, yet modest too, Own'd he knew only that he nothing knew. Now! vain pretenders such presumption show, They seem to fancy that they all things know. Ye moderns, thus puff'd up with vanity, Would that ye knew but half as much as he!
More by Thomas Oldham
- Epigram On The Many Violent Disputes Among The Preachers Of The Gospel
- Epigram On The March Of Intellect
- Epigram On The New Experiment Of Lighting The House Of Commons By Means Of Gas-Pipes Placed Between The Two Ceilings
- Epigram On Two Sisters Who Are Always Quarrelling
- Epigram To A Hypocritical Calvinist
- Epigram To Julia
- Epigram To Mr. Bury, An Eminent Surgeon In Coventry, On His Having Performed A Successful Operation, In A Case Of Deeply-Seated Inflammation In The Neck, When The Patient Was In Extreme Danger Of Immediate Suffocation
- Epilogue