THE audience entire seemed pleased -- indeed, @3Extremely@1 pleased. And little Maymie, freed From her task of instructing, ran to show Her wondrous colored picture to and fro Among the company. "And how comes it," said Some one to Mr. Hammond, "that, instead Of the inventor's life, you did not choose The @3artist's?@1 -- since the world can better lose A cutting-box or reaper than it can A noble picture painted by a man Endowed with gifts this drawing would suggest" -- Holding the picture up to show the rest. @3"There now!"@1 chimed in the wife, her pale face lit Like winter snow with sunrise over it, -- "That's what @3I'm@1 always asking him. -- But @3he@1 -- @3Well,@1 as he's answering @3you,@1 he answers @3me,@1 -- With that same silent, suffocating smile He's wearing now!" For quite a little while No further speech from any one, although All looked at Mr. Hammond and that slow, Immutable, mild smile of his. And then The encouraged querist asked him yet again @3Why was it,@1 and et cetera -- with all The rest, expectant, waiting round the wall, -- Until the gentle Mr. Hammond said He'd answer with a @3"parable,"@1 instead -- About "a dreamer" that he used to know -- "An artist" -- "master" -- @3all@1 -- in @3embryo@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THREE SILENCES IN THAILAND by KAREN SWENSON THE BEACON; A MUSICAL DRAMA by JOANNA BAILLIE DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SIBYLLA'S DIRGE by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 1 by EZRA POUND ROCK OF AGES' by EDWARD H. RICE ON THOSE THAT HATED 'THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD' by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS |