Our worthy Founder, Gentlemen, this day Appoints our youth an hour's poetic play, And that I yearly at this time should choose A single subject for their varied muse, That you may see how fancy will create A diff'rent image in each youngster's pate. Now, since our Milton, a renowned name, Has been attack'd for stealing into fame, I told them,—"Lads, now be upon your guard; "Exert yourselves, and save your famous bard. "He's call'd a plagiary;—'tis yours to shew "The vain reproach, to silence Milton's foe. "The point at which ye now must take your aim, "Remember as ye rhyme, is MILTON'S FAME; "Fame as a Poet only, as attack'd "For plund'ring verses:—ne'er contest the fact; "Defend your bard, tho' granted; and confine "To three times six, at most, your eager line." Then lend a fav'ring ear while they rehearse Short, and almost extemporary verse, A thought work'd up that came into the mind, With rhymes the first and fittest they could find: Such was their task;—the boys have done their best; Take what you like, Sirs, and excuse the rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SHEPHERD BOY'S SONG, FR. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by JOHN BUNYAN THE WORLD by FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES UNSUNG by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH A ROW IN AN OMNIBUS BOX; A LEGEND OF THE HAYMARKET by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM ANNIVERSARIUM BAPTISMI (1) by JOSEPH BEAUMONT ON THE EVE OF DEPARTURE FROM O-- by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS |