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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE BOY RECITER, by DAVID EVERETT First Line: You'd scarce expect one of my age Last Line: But only great as I am good. Alternate Author Name(s): Americanus, Junius | |||
YOU'D SCARCE EXPECT one of my age To speak in public on the stage, And if I chance to fall below Demosthenes or Cicero, Don't view me with a critic's eye, But pass my imperfections by. Large streams from little fountains flow, Tall oaks from little acorns grow; And though now I am small and young, Of judgment weak and feeble tongue, Yet all great, learned men, like me Once learned to read their ABC. But why may not Columbia's soil Rear men as great as Britain's Isle, Exceed what Greece and Rome have done Or any land beneath the sun? Mayn't Massachusetts boast as great As any other sister state? Or where's the town, go far or near, That does not find a rival here? Or where's the boy but three feet high Who's made improvement more than I? These choughts inspire my youthful mind To be the greatest of mankind: Great, not like Caesar, stained with blood, But only great as I am good. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MARIZIBILL by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE THE UNQUIET EYE by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN CAELIA: SONNETS: 11 by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. THE CENTRAL CALM by EDWARD CARPENTER THE LAMP ON THE PRAIRIE by PHOEBE CARY VAIN WOOING by EDWARD RALPH CHEYNEY |
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