Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO BRANDER MATTHEWS by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: IN VAIN TODAY I SCRAPE AND BLOT
Last Line: IN VEIN TO-DAY.
Subject(s): MATTHEWS, BRANDER (1852-1929);
IN vain to-day I scrape and blot:
The nimble words, the phrases neat,
Decline to mingle or to meet;
My skill is all foregone -- forgot.

He will not canter, walk nor trot,
My Pegasus. I spur, I beat,
In vain to-day!

And yet 'twere sure the saddest lot
That I should fail to leave complete
One poor ... the rhyme suggests 'conceit!'
Alas! 'Tis all too clear I'm not
In vein to-day.




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