Classic and Contemporary Poetry
CLOWN'S SONG, by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER Poet's Biography First Line: Who can speak the crimes of rhyming' Last Line: Then they scatter, left and right! Subject(s): Clowns | ||||||||
"Who can speak the crimes of rhyming?" Said a poet. Well he knew What this vile and senseless chiming Tempts a singer's soul to do: How it alters his rude power, Nature's firstborn rhythm vast, Into trifles for an hour Cheap and vulgar, first to last! How it changes his swift dancing, Pause and whirl of tireless feet, Into capers unentrancing, Cut for pennies on the street. Or if all the gold of Indies Could not tempt him to such shame, Deeper yet the poet's sin lies: He is jingling but for fame: Idol made of gilded paper, Crammed inside with chaff and bran, Fit to dolt the foolish gaper, Fit only to be kicked by man! Whether gold or fame, no matter Which I serve, it is the same, For my castanets I clatter, Bawl some vulgar song of shame In a voice that cracks and falters; And I tumble on my head In this garb that nothing alters, Clown-costume of white and red. People laugh and think me funny, Deem my face a mirthful sight. When I go 'round for the money, Then they scatter, left and right! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BUCOLIC COMEDY: THE FOX; FOR ANN PEARN by EDITH SITWELL DUSK; TO MADEMOISELLE MARIE LAURENCIN by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE MANDRAKE'S SONG; FRAGMENT by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE CLOWN by MARGARET E. BRUNER CLOWN AND KING by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON CLOWNS' DAY by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON A PORTFOLIO OF SKETCHES: THE TWO CLOWNS by PAUL FORT ARIZONA POEMS: 2. MEXICAN QUARTER by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER |
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