...by starts and nothing long; But in the course of one revolving moon Was chemist, statesman, fiddler, and buffoon; Then all for women, painting, rhyming,...Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking. (John Dryden, "Absalom and Achitophel") Satire is one of the most important literary forms of humor...

...Achitophei. A man so various, that he seem'd to he Not one, but all Mankinds Epitome. Was Chymist, Fidler, States-Man, and Buffoon: Then all for Women, Painting,...Rhyming, Drinking; Besides ten thousand freaks that dy'd in thinking. ;liaes 345ff.) By coincidence, Dryden's lines have here a peculiarly Byronic cadence,...

...staccato beat of isolated words in combat: ] Zimri ] ... in course of one revolving moon, Was chymist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon: Then all for women,...thousand freaks that died in thinking. Blest madman . . . [549-553] The whole structural design of the poem consists in 1) the unified, regular narrative...

...nothing long; But in the course of one revolving moon Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon: 550 Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking. Blessed madman, who could every hour employ With something new to wish, or to enjoy! Railing and praising...

...nothing long; But, in the course of one revolving moon, Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon: 550 Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking, Besides...freaks that died in thinking. Blest madman, who could every hour employ, With something new to wish, or to enjoy! Railing and praising were his usual themes;...