Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VERSES: THE THIRD BOY, by JOHN BYROM


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VERSES: THE THIRD BOY, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Crime in a poet, sirs, to steal a thought?'
Last Line: Sluggishly saunt'ring forth, makes none of them his own.
Subject(s): Crime & Criminals; Human Behavior; Plagiarism; Conduct Of Life; Human Nature


"Crime in a Poet, Sirs, to steal a thought?"
No, that 'tis not,—if it be good for aught.
'Tis lawful theft: 'tis laudable to boot;
'Tis want of genius if he cannot do't.
The fool admires,—the man of sense alone
Lights on a happy thought, and makes it all his own,

Flies like a bee along the muse's field,
Peeps in and tastes what ev'ry flow'r can yield,
Free, from the various blossoms that he meets,
To pick and cull, and carry home the sweets;
While midst a thousand sweets the stingless drone,
Sluggishly saunt'ring forth, makes none of them his own.





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