Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FLINT AND STEEL; FROM YRIARTE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FLINT AND STEEL; FROM YRIARTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The flint and steel -- the story goes
Last Line: Without the aid of cultivation.
Subject(s): Genius


THE Flint and Steel -- the story goes --
Old friends by natural relation,
Fell out, one day, and, like two foes,
Indulged in bitter altercation.

"I'm weary," said the angry Flint,
"Of being beat; 't is past concealing;
Your conduct (witness many a dint
Upon my sides!) is most unfeeling.

"And what reward have I to show?
What sort of payment do you render,
To one who bears each hateful blow
That you may blaze in transient splendor?"

"You seem to think yourself abused,"
The Steel replied with proper spirit;
"But, say, unless with me you're used,
What praise of service do you merit?

"Your worth, as any one may see
(For all your feeling of defiance),
Is simply nought, unless with me
You keep your natural alliance."

"True!" said the Flint; "but there's no call,
Whate'er my worth, for you to flout it;
My value, sir, may be but small;
But think what yours would be without it!"

MORAL.

The writer who depends alone
On genius, hoping to be able
To cope with scholars fully grown,
May profit by this simple fable.

As from the Steel no fire comes forth,
Until it feels the Flint's abrasion;
So genius is of little worth
Without the aid of cultivation.





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