series2bk5.061

 

I overplayed my hand, too readily supposing (if I chose to try) I could bend events to my will, filling in with dread threats to make the break - as if my presence was something you prized. The size of my swagger was soon viewed as vain; I was plainly wrong-footed when you claimed you'd begun to be won round to my point of view - adept at accepting the line of thought I'd already presented. I meant to invoke a debate; but I'm left discretely eating my own words, (notwithstanding the glandular pains of indigestion,) while I meekly seek some higher ground for better defence.      My faulty tactics clearly were to blame,      and now (with punctured pride) I stand in shame.