You prefer a buffoon to a scholar, A harlequin to a teacher, A jester to a statesman, An Anonyma flaring on horseback To a modest and spotless woman -- Brute of a public! You think that to sneer shows wisdom, That a gibe outvalues a reason, That slang, such as thieves delight in, Is fit for the lips of the gentle, And rather a grace than a blemish, Thick-headed public! You think that if merit's exalted 'Tis excellent sport to decry it, And trail its good name in the gutter; And that cynics, white-gloved and cravatted, Are the cream and quintessence of all things, Ass of a public! You think that success must be merit, That honour and virtue and courage Are all very well in their places, But that money's a thousand times better; Detestable, stupid, degraded Pig of a public! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE SICK ROSE, FR. SONGS OF EXPERIENCE by WILLIAM BLAKE SOMETIME by MAY LOUISE RILEY SMITH THE BRIDE AND GROOM by WILLIAM EDWARD ADAMS THE EUMENIDES: CHORUS by AESCHYLUS LINES WRITTEN BY A DEATH-BED by MATTHEW ARNOLD |