But these are few, and in the end they make

Some devilish escapade or stir, which shows

That even the purest people may mistake

Their way through Virtue's primrose paths of snows;

And then men stare, as if a new ass spake

To Balaam, and from tongue to ear o'erflows

Quicksilver small talk, ending (if you note it)

With the kind World's Amen—"Who would have thought it?"