624 JAMES CLERK MAXWELL. 



Thus a tempting spirit spoke, 

 As from troubled sleep I woke 

 To a morning thick with smoke, 



Sunless and damp and chill}'. 

 Then to sleep I turned once more, 

 Eyes inflamed and windpipe sore, 

 Dreaming dreams I dreamt before, 



Only not quite so silly. 



In my dream methought I strayed 

 Where a learned-looking maid 

 Stores of flimsy goods displayed, 



Articles not worth wearing. 

 " These," she said, with solemn air, 

 " Are the robes that sages wear, 

 Warranted, when kept with care, 

 Never to need repairing." 



Then unnumbered witlings, caught 

 By her wiles, the trappings bought, 

 And by labour, not by thought, 



Honour and fame were earning. 

 While the men of wiser mind 

 Passed for blind among the blind ; 

 Pedants left them far behind 



In the career of learning. 



" Those that fix their eager eyes 

 Ever on the nearest prize 

 Well may venture to despise 



Loftier aspirations. 

 Pedantry is in demand ! 

 Buy it up at second-hand, 

 Seek no more to understand 



Profitless speculations." 



Thus the gaudy gowns were sold, 

 Cast off sloughs of pedants old ; 

 Proudly marched the students bold 



Through the domain of error, 



