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At Cheshire Cheese

By Paul Laurence Dunbar

Topics: classic

When first of wise old Johnson taught,     My youthful mind its homage brought,     And made the pond'rous crusty sage     The object of a noble rage.     Nor did I think (How dense we are!)     That any day, however far,     Would find me holding, unrepelled,     The place that Doctor Johnson held!     But change has come and time has moved,     And now, applauded, unreproved,     I hold, with pardonable pride,     The place that Johnson occupied.     Conceit! Presumption! What is this?     You surely read my words amiss;     Like Johnson I,--a man of mind!     How could you ever be so blind?     No. At the ancient "Cheshire Cheese,"     Blown hither by some vagrant breeze,     To dignify my shallow wit,     In Doctor Johnson's seat I sit!

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"When first of wise old Johnson taught,..."

Exploring the themes of classic, Paul Laurence Dunbar delivers a powerful performance in "At Cheshire Cheese"... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...

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Author:Paul Laurence Dunbar

"When first of wise old Johnson taught,..." by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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Paul Laurence Dunbar

About Paul Laurence Dunbar

Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906) was an American poet and novelist who was one of the first African-American writers to gain national prominence. His poems in dialect—including "When Malindy Sings"—and standard English explore Black life with humor, pathos, and dignity.

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