The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

Now in ordinary cases, that is, when I am only stupid, and the thoughts rise heavily and pass gummous through my pen -- -- -

Or that I am got, I know not how, into a cold unmetaphorical vein of infamous writing, and cannot take a plumb-lift out of it for my soul; so must be obliged to go on writing like a Dutch commentator to the end of the chapter, unless something be done -- -- -