Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SILKWORM AND THE CATERPILLAR; FROM YRIARTE, by JOHN GODFREY SAXE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SILKWORM AND THE CATERPILLAR; FROM YRIARTE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once on a time -- if tales are true
Last Line: The caterpillar of my story!
Subject(s): Caterpillars; Criticism & Critics; Insects; Bugs


ONCE on a time -- if tales are true --
Among the animals a movement
Was started by the foremost few
To aid their mutual improvement;

A scheme was planned -- whate'er the name --
To mend their physical condition;
And in its nature much the same
As our "Industrial Exposition."

To this the tribes of every sort
And element -- fur, fin, and feather --
In friendly rivalry resort,
And their inventions bring together.

Among a hundred useful things,
And many more designed for winning
AEsthetic praise, the Silkworm brings
A knot of thread of home-made spinning;

A silk cocoon! -- how soft and bright!
All eyes are glistening with pleasure;
How charming to the touch and sight!
And then, for fabrics, what a treasure!

The very Mole is not so blind
But she can see the thing is pretty;
And "Premium First" declares the mind
Of the unanimous "Committee!"

At last a croaking voice is heard;
The Caterpillar's, in dissension;
"Cocoons! -- a trifle -- on my word!
And then they're not a new invention!"

The beasts, amazed, with one accord
Cried, "Who is this, whose pert decision
Would overrule our grave award,
And treat our judgment with derision!"

"I see!" said Reynard (cunning elf!)
"'T is Mr. Caterpillar, surely!
The fellow makes cocoons himself,
And thinks all others spin as poorly!"

MORAL.
When critics (would-be authors once)
Would rob true Genius of her glory,
One sees in each detracting dunce
The Caterpillar of my story!





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