 | [Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde |  |
FORCED CONTRIBUTION
levied in second hand rhyme on a worn out Author, violently suspected of plagiarism, by the most absolute command of the very worshipful and gracious Lady, Georgiana ---
The Saints of Scotland hold it meet
That sinners for some choice transgressions
Should stand, in penitential sheet
At the Kirk-door, and make confessions.
That sinners for some choice transgressions
Should stand, in penitential sheet
At the Kirk-door, and make confessions.
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So I, between these sheets—once white,
For rhyming in my youth must stand,
No other reason, wrong or right,
But a most orthodox command.
For rhyming in my youth must stand,
No other reason, wrong or right,
But a most orthodox command.
Gray Journals, by my sad fate,
Take warning, and avoid this place,
See, what men come to, soon or late,
By flirting with a Muse—or Grace.
Take warning, and avoid this place,
See, what men come to, soon or late,
By flirting with a Muse—or Grace.
Yet since from this ‘apparent shame’
There's no escape by prayer or tear;
Georgie at least shall share the blame,
I'll tell for spite, who brought me here!
There's no escape by prayer or tear;
Georgie at least shall share the blame,
I'll tell for spite, who brought me here!
| [Poems by Wilde in] Richard Henry Wilde | |