----But softly----for in these sportive plains, and under this genial sun, where at this instant all flesh is running out piping, fiddling, and dancing to the vintage, and every step that's taken, the judgment is surprised by the imagination, I defy, notwithstanding all that has been said upon _straight lines_[8.1] in sundry pages of my book --I defy the best cabbage planter that ever existed, whether he plants backwards or forwards, it makes little difference in the account (except that he will have more to answer for in the one case than in the other) --I defy him to go on coolly, critically, and canonically, planting his cabbages one by one, in straight lines, and stoical distances, especially if slits in petticoats are unsew'd up--without ever and anon straddling out, or sidling into some bastardly digression ----In _Freeze-land_, _Fog-land_, and some other lands I wot of--it may be done----
But in this clear climate of fantasy and perspiration, where every idea, sensible and insensible, gets vent--in this land, my dear _Eugenius_--in this fertile land of chivalry and romance, where I now sit, unskrewing my ink-horn to write my uncle _Toby's_ amours, and with all the meanders of JULIA'S track in quest of her DIEGO, in full view of my study window--if thou comest not and takest me by the hand----
What a work it is likely to turn out!
Let us begin it.
[Footnote 8.1: Vid. pp. 347-348.] [[Book VI, Chapter XL]]
- But softly - on these sportive plains, and under this genial sun, where all flesh is running out piping, fiddling, and dancing, I defy - despite all that I have earlier said upon straight lines - I defy the best cabbage planter in existence to go on coolly and critically planting his cabbages in straight lines, without straddling out, or sidling into some bastardly digression.
- In Freeze-land, or Fog-land, it may be done-
But in this clear climate of fantasy and perspiration, where every idea gets vent - in this fertile land of chivalry and romance, where I now sit, unscrewing my ink-horn to write my uncle Toby's amours, with all the meanders of Julia's track in quest of her Diego in full view of my study window - if thou comest not and takest me by the hand-
What a work it is likely to turn out!
Let us begin it.