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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SPECIOUS AND SUPERFICIAL WRITERS, by JOHN BYROM Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: How rare the case, tho' common the pretence Last Line: Paid without scruple,he enjoys the trash. Subject(s): Books; Reason; Writing & Writers; Reading; Intellect; Rationalism; Brain; Mind; Intellectuals | |||
HOW rare the case, tho' common the pretence, To write on subjects from a real sense! 'Tis many a celebrated author's fate, To print effusions just as Parrots prate; He moulds a matter, that he once was taught, In various shapes, and thinks that it is Thought. Words at command he marshals in array, And proveswhatever he is pleas'd to say; While learning like a torrent pours along, And sweeps away the subject, right or wrong. One follows for a while a rolling theme, Toss'd in the middle of the rapid stream; Till, out of sight, with like impetuous force Torn from its roots, another takes the course, While froth and bubble glaze the flowing mud, And the man thinks all clear and understood; A shining surface and a transient view Make the slight-witted reader think so too. It entertains him, and the book is bought, Read, and admir'd without expense of thought; No tax impos'd upon his wits,his cash Paid without scruple,he enjoys the trash. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AGAINST EXCESS OF SEA OR SUN OR REASON by WILLIAM MEREDITH PROVISION FOR THE HIGHER OZONE BODY by WILL ALEXANDER THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#65) by MARVIN BELL THE MACHINATIONS OF THE MIND by LAURE-ANNE BOSSELAAR WHY FOOL AROUND? by STEPHEN DOBYNS POPHAM OF THE NEW SONG: 1 by NORMAN DUBIE A HYMN FOR CHRISTMAS DAY (2) by JOHN BYROM |
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