 | The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar : |  |
THE DILETTANTE: A MODERN TYPE
He scribbles some in prose and verse,
And now and then he prints it;
He paints a little,—gathers some
Of Nature's gold and mints it.
And now and then he prints it;
He paints a little,—gathers some
Of Nature's gold and mints it.
He plays a little, sings a song,
Acts tragic rôles, or funny;
He does, because his love is strong,
But not, oh, not for money!
Acts tragic rôles, or funny;
He does, because his love is strong,
But not, oh, not for money!
50
He studies almost everything
From social art to science;
A thirsty mind, a flowing spring,
Demand and swift compliance.
From social art to science;
A thirsty mind, a flowing spring,
Demand and swift compliance.
He looms above the sordid crowd—
At least through friendly lenses;
While his mamma looks pleased and proud,
And kindly pays expenses.
At least through friendly lenses;
While his mamma looks pleased and proud,
And kindly pays expenses.
| The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar : | |