 | Fables in Song |  |
The Eagle ceased. He had forgotten wholly
To whom his words were utter'd. But this pause
Aroused that other; who, recovering slowly
From mute amaze, broke silence with applause.
To whom his words were utter'd. But this pause
Aroused that other; who, recovering slowly
From mute amaze, broke silence with applause.
“Bravo! 'Tis plaguily cold up here,
But I listen'd with admiration.
At home, o'er a pipe and a pot of beer,
What a subject for conversation!
But I listen'd with admiration.
197
What a subject for conversation!
“It would never have enter'd my mind, I vow,
To find such a deal in nothing.
Poetic license, of course, I allow
For what's put in poetic clothing.
To find such a deal in nothing.
Poetic license, of course, I allow
For what's put in poetic clothing.
“But your views, so far as I make them out,
As to scientific farming,
Drainage, and that sort of thing, no doubt
Are highly suggestive and charming.
As to scientific farming,
Drainage, and that sort of thing, no doubt
Are highly suggestive and charming.
“The water supply from the hills is good.
In the desert there's no vegetation
For the want (thus much have I understood)
Of a system of irrigation.
In the desert there's no vegetation
For the want (thus much have I understood)
Of a system of irrigation.
“I have studied the nature of subsoils too.
But your style's more poetic than Plato's.
The sun, no doubt, has a deal to do
With the flavour of peas and potatoes.
But your style's more poetic than Plato's.
The sun, no doubt, has a deal to do
With the flavour of peas and potatoes.
“With the rest of your speech, in the main, I agree,
And was pleased by its peroration;
Tho' folks might find in it (pardon me!)
Just a touch of exaggeration.
And was pleased by its peroration;
Tho' folks might find in it (pardon me!)
Just a touch of exaggeration.
“My sight is, unluckily, somewhat weak.
And of all that excites your wonder
I can see but little—nay, truth to speak,
I see nothing at all—out yonder.
And of all that excites your wonder
I can see but little—nay, truth to speak,
I see nothing at all—out yonder.
198
“But, tho' loth to intrude on your precious time,
May I ask have you any objection
To teach me the trick of the art sublime
You have brought to so great a perfection?
May I ask have you any objection
To teach me the trick of the art sublime
You have brought to so great a perfection?
“I was never of those who despise that art.
I am honestly anxious to know it.
And there's many a page I have learnt by heart
From the works of each popular poet.
I am honestly anxious to know it.
And there's many a page I have learnt by heart
From the works of each popular poet.
“I've a notion of metre, a notion of rhyme,
And it always has been my intention
One of these days, if I get but time,
To study the art of invention.”
And it always has been my intention
One of these days, if I get but time,
To study the art of invention.”
| Fables in Song | |