The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe Household Edition : with illustrations |
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THE AMBITIOUS PAINTER. |
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 | The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe |  |
THE AMBITIOUS PAINTER.
A painter once—'t was many years ago—Gave public notice it was his intent
To change his style of art; and that he meant
“Henceforth to paint like Michael Angelo!”
The artist's scheme was sensible, no doubt,
But still his pictures, though he thought them fine,
Remained so poor in color and design,
His plan seemed rather hard to carry out.
By every common amateur surpassed,
The people laughed, as well enough they might,
To see the fellow, in ambition's spite,
Go on a wretched dauber to the last!
To rival Genius in her great inventions
Needs (that's the moral) more than good intentions!
| The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe | |