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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO EDMUND GOSSE, WITH CHURCHILL'S POEMS by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: WHEN CHURCHILL WROTE, TH' AONIAN MAID
Last Line: WHEN CHURCHILL WROTE.
Subject(s): CHURCHILL, CHARLES (1731-1764);

WHEN CHURCHILL wrote, th' Aonian maid
He served was scarce of speech afraid;
She used no phrase to circumvent
The homely article she meant,
But plainly called a spade a spade.

Nor was the public much dismayed.
He but his age's law obeyed; --
They liked to see the bludgeon's dent
When CHURCHILL wrote.

'Tis not so now. To-day the trade
Demands the finest Sheffield blade;
We use a subtler instrument;
We cut for depth and not extent...
But would 'twere ours -- the Mark they made --
When CHURCHILL wrote.



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