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Epigram To A Conceited & Affected, But Handsome Woman

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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!

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"Why, when I praise you, Ma'am, why tell me flat,..."

"Epigram To A Conceited & Affected, But Handsome Woman" is a quintessential example of Thomas Oldham's signature style... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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