A poet ought to see things more widely, and express them more vividly, than ordinary folk." "Don't you perceive--he means the pawns on the chess-board--the common people." "Phineas, don't say the common people--I'm a common person myself.

But to continue:-- 'His cottage low, and safely humble gate, Shuts out proud Fortune, with her scorns and fawns: No feared treason breaks his quiet sleep.
Singing all day, his flocks he learns to keep, Himself as innocent as are his quiet sheep.' (Not many sheep at Enderley, I fancy; the Flat chiefly abounds in donkeys.

Well--) 'No Serian worms he knows, that with their thread, Drew out their silken lives--nor silken pride--' Which reminds me that--" "David, how can you make me laugh at our reverend ancestor in this way?
I'm ashamed of you." "Only let me tell you this one fact--very interesting, you'll allow--that I saw a silken gown hanging up in the kitchen at Rose Cottage.

Now, though Mrs.Tod is a decent, comely woman, I don't think it belonged to her." "She may have lodgers." "I think she said she had--an old gentleman--but HE wouldn't wear a silken gown." "His wife might.

Now, do go on reading." "Certainly; I only wish to draw a parallel between Thyrsis and ourselves in our future summer life at Enderley.