"'Twas a great liberty to take!" (I fired up like a rocket). "He did it just for punning's sake: 'The man,' says Johnson, 'that would make A pun, would pick a pocket!'" "A man," said he, "is not a King." I argued for a while, And did my best to prove the thing — The Phantom merely listening With a contemptuous smile. At last, when, breath and patience spent, I had recourse to smoking — "Your aim ," he said, "is excellent: But — when you call it argument — Of course you're only joking?" Stung by his cold and snaky eye, I roused myself at length To say "At least I do defy The veriest sceptic to deny That union is strength!" "That's true enough," said he, "yet stay — " I listened in all meekness — "Union is strength, I'm bound to say; In fact, the thing's as clear as day; But onions are a weakness."

Canto VI — Dyscomfyture

As one who strives a hill to climb, Who never climbed before: Who finds it, in a little time, Grow every moment less sublime, And votes the thing a bore: Yet, having once begun to try, Dares not desert his quest, But, climbing, ever keeps his eye On one small hut against the sky Wherein he hopes to rest: Who climbs till nerve and force are spent, With many a puff and pant: Who still, as rises the ascent,