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09068_Field_TCGG T833.txt
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1996-04-10
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16 lines
applied knowledge as it manifests itself in “Industry” and
“Plodding.” For authors inspired by self-opinion and the craving
for self-expression are driven into “setting up this sad and sorry
merchandise.”
By means of the agglomerate action of many such
victims of applied knowledge—that is, self-opinionated authors
endowed with Industry and Plodding—there is now the
restoration of the reign of Chaos and old Night and the removal
of the imperial seat of Dulness their daughter from the City to
the Polite world.” As the book market expands, the division
between intellect and commerce ends. The book trade takes
over the functions of wit and spirit and government.
That is the meaning of the opening lines of the first
editions of the poem: