That night the town turned out and crammed the hall. And I, perhaps maliciously, made one To hear the lecture: I, who went to none, And an old friend with me, who went to all. But vain it were that thesis to recall, A rant of phrase and metaphor blundered through And meaning not or how, when ended quite And poetry had closed what prayer begun, Strong men were touched to tears and bright lips grew Breathless with praise. But my companion Spoke not, or spoke with satire grave and arch: "We scarce had had such learning and such light Since he, the Yankee schoolmaster, last March Came from Nine Partners to Illyria down." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ON THE DEATH OF MR. PURCELL by JOHN DRYDEN THE HILL WIFE: THE SMILE by ROBERT FROST TO YOUTH by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR THE OLD CUMBERLAND BEGGAR by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH DEJECTION by GRACE E. ALBRIGHT |