Which phrases in this excerpt from alexander pope’s "an essay on criticism" are oxymorons? such shameless bards we have; and yet 'tis true, there are as mad, abandon'd criticks too. the bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, with loads of learned lumber in his head, with his own tongue still edifies his ears, and always list'ning to himself appears. all books he reads, and all he reads assails, from dryden's fables down to durfey's tales. with him, most authors steal their works, or buy;