The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe :: :: University of Virginia Library

Once in Madrid—the story goes—
Between two artisans arose
A question of such special weight,
It held them long in grave debate,
Though each—'t is only fair to say—
Discussed it in a candid way,
Unlike debaters who, in sooth,
Care more for victory than truth.

Both men were weavers, we are told:
One made galloons, or lace-of-gold;
The other lace-of-linen, fine
At once in texture and design.
“Who,” said the former, “would suppose
That while (as everybody knows)
My lace of purest gold is wrought,
For vastly less it may be bought

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Than yours, my neighbor, which, instead
Of gold, is made of flaxen thread?
Pray tell me why (I can't divine)
Yours sells for thrice as much as mine?”
“Faith!” said the other, “to my mind,
The reason is not hard to find;
You work in gold, and I in thread;
If, saying so, the whole were said,
Your lace would surely far exceed
My lace in value. 'T is agreed!
You work in gold; I grant it,—still
Your best galloons show little skill
Compared with what the eye may trace
In my fine webs of linen lace;
Rich workmanship, my worthy friend,
Gives value gold can never lend!”

MORAL.

Hence critics, who are fain to smile
When readers praise an author's style,
As if the matter were the test
Of what in authorship is best,
May learn how much the writer's art,
By style and finish may impart
To works which else had failed to claim
The worth that gives undying fame!