Who, born for the universe, narrow'd his mind,

And to party gave up what was meant for mankind;

Though fraught with all learning, yet straining his throat

To persuade Tommy Townshend to lend him a vote.

Who too deep for his hearers still went on refining,

And thought of convincing while they thought of dining:

Though equal to all things, for all things unfit;

Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit.

Oliver Goldsmith (1728-1774): Retaliation. Line 31.

The soft blue sky did never melt

Into his heart; he never felt

The witchery of the soft blue sky!

William Wordsworth (1770-1850): Peter Bell. Part i. Stanza 15.

Party is the madness of many for the gain of a few.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744): Thoughts on Various Subjects.