Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ADVICE TO POETS, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ADVICE TO POETS, by                    
First Line: Would you to poetry aspire
Last Line: Their readers did the crowning.
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets


Would you to poetry aspire,
To make yourself a name
And set the people's hearts afire,
Make common words seem tame?

Would you have folks to sigh, and say
When words of yours they read,
"How wonderful! how grand his lay!"
And make your thoughts their creed?

Would you have clubs named after you
To study and discuss
The meanings hidden from their view;
Say "this and that mean thus"?

Would you a monument have reared,
When laid away at rest?
Would you to thousands be endeared
Who'll think of you as blest?

Would you have wealth in countless store
Your work to compensate,
And have disciples by the score
Your life to emulate.

Would you have kings and queens bow down
Before your matchless wit,
And by your poems win renown
Ere you make your exit?

If you would these things bring about,
Have folks think you're immense,
Just write your poems all without
One particle of sense.

Just make your meaning so obscure
That scholars everywhere,
Professional or amateur,
To criticize won't dare.

And thus will you win place and fame,
Like Emerson and Browning;
Remember they did just the same,
Their readers did the crowning.





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