At the Sign of the Lyre

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ...the other, "I confess" (This One was plainer in his Dress, And even poorly clad), "for me, I scorn Your Popularity. Why should I care to catch at once The Point of View of every Dunce? Let me do well, indeed, but find The Fancy first, the Work behind; Nor wholly touch the Thing I wanted...." The Goddess both Petitions granted. Each in his Way, achieved Success; But One grew Great. And which One? Guess. THE CLAIMS OF THE MUSE. TOO oft we hide our Frailties' Blame Beneath some simple-sounding Name! So Folks, who in gilt Coaches ride, Will call Display but Proper Pride; So Spendthrifts, who their Acres lose, Curse not their Folly but the Jews; So Madam, when her Roses faint, Resorts to.... anything but Paint. An honest Uncle, who had plied His Trade of Mercer in Cheapside, Until his Name on 'Change was found Good for some Thirty Thousand Pound, Was burdened with an Heir inclined To thoughts of quite a different Kind. His Nephew dreamed of Naught but Verse From Morn to Night, and, what was worse, He quitted all at length to follow That "sneaking, whey-faced God, Apollo.' In plainer Words, he ran up Bills At Child's, at Batson's and at WiiPs; Discussed the Claims of rival Bards At Midnight,--with a. Pack of Cards; Or made excuse for "t'other Bottle" Over a point in Aristotle. This could not last, and like his Betters He found, too soon, the Cost of Letters. Back to his Uncle's House he flew, Confessing that he'd not a Sou. 'Tis true, his Reasons, if sincere, Were more poetical than clear: "Alas!" he said, "I name no Names: The Muse, dear Sir, the Musehas claims." His Uncle, who, behind his Till, Knew less of Pindus than Snoiv-Hill, Looked grave, but thinking (as Men say) That Youth but once can...