Note 26 — Chapter I · THE SATIRIC SPIRIT
Reading edition
The Task: The Time-Piece.
His object is to point out the superiority of the preacher, who steps in
“* * * when the sat’rist has at last Strutting and vaporing in an empty school, Spent all his force and made no proselyte.”
Later, however, he inadvertently admits even clerical insufficiency:
“Since pulpits fail, and sounding boards reflect Most part an empty ineffectual sound, What chance that I, to fame so little known, Nor conversant with men or manners much, Should speak to purpose, or with better hope Crack the satiric thong?” (From The Garden).