Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE GOAT AND THE HORSE; FROM YRIARTE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE GOAT AND THE HORSE; FROM YRIARTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A goat who lent a ravished ear
Last Line: Their works may win applauding breath!
Subject(s): Fame; Writing & Writers; Reputation


A GOAT who lent a ravished ear
A Fiddle's harmony to hear, --
The while unconsciously his feet
The viol's measures gayly beat, --
Unto a Horse, who near him stood,
So rapt he quite forgot his food
In the sweet music of the hour,
(Such was the player's wondrous power!)
Thus, when the witching strains were done,
A boastful monologue begun:
"My honest neighbor, do you know
Whence came the sounds that charmed us so?
The viol which so sweetly sings
Owes all its music to the Strings;
And those same strings -- be pleased to note --
Came from the bowels of a Goat!
(A mate of mine you may have seen
With me upon the village green;
Where, side by side, we used to play
Through many a pleasant summer's day.)
And who can tell, my worthy friend,
But I, some happy day, may lend
The like assistance to the art
Which has such power to charm the heart?"
"True!" said the Nag; "but not alone
Are strings required to give the tone
The viol boasts; pray, do not I
From my long tail the hairs supply
With which the Bow so deftly brings
The music from the stupid strings?
The cost to me is surely small
(A little fright, -- no pain at all).
Then, for the pleasure that I give
I have my payment while I live
In conscious pride; while you, instead,
Must wait for yours till you are dead!"

MORAL.

Some authors thus, who vainly strive
For fame while they are yet alive,
Write on, in hope that after death
Their works may win applauding breath!





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