In language grows more violent, Although in breath more scant: Who, climbing, gains at length the place That crowns the upward track. And, entering with unsteady pace, Receives a buffet in the face That lands him on his back: And feels himself, like one in sleep, Glide swiftly down again, A helpless weight, from steep to steep, Till, with a headlong giddy sweep, He drops upon the plain — So I, that had resolved to bring Conviction to a ghost, And found it quite a different thing From any human arguing, Yet dared not quit my post But, keeping still the end in view To which I hoped to come, I strove to prove the matter true By putting everything I knew Into an axiom: Commencing every single phrase With 'therefore' or 'because,' I blindly reeled, a hundred ways, About the syllogistic maze, Unconscious where I was. Quoth he "That's regular clap-trap: Don't bluster any more. Now do be cool and take a nap! Such a ridiculous old chap Was never seen before! "You're like a man I used to meet, Who got one day so furious In arguing, the simple heat Scorched both his slippers off his feet!" I said "That's very curious !" "Well, it is curious, I agree, And sounds perhaps like fibs: But still it's true as true can be — As sure as your name's Tibbs," said he. I said "My name's not Tibbs."