THE DEMAGOGUE
I listened to his smooth insidious tongue,
So artfully adapted to his crowd
Of uninstructed hearers, who with loud
Applause received the phrases deftly strung
To flatter them and to their greed appeal.
Their ignorance and prejudices he
(Taught by long practice) played on skilfully,
Yet to the wise did all the while reveal
His inmost nature, false and insincere;
Spite of himself his vulgar soul he shows,
Which to no great ideal allegiance owes,
But ever doth by self's mean compass steer:
So self-convicted and condemned he stands,
Despite the multitude's loud-clapping hands.
So artfully adapted to his crowd
Of uninstructed hearers, who with loud
Applause received the phrases deftly strung
To flatter them and to their greed appeal.
Their ignorance and prejudices he
(Taught by long practice) played on skilfully,
Yet to the wise did all the while reveal
His inmost nature, false and insincere;
Spite of himself his vulgar soul he shows,
Which to no great ideal allegiance owes,
But ever doth by self's mean compass steer:
So self-convicted and condemned he stands,
Despite the multitude's loud-clapping hands.
TO THE CRITIC
What's written's written; whether good or bad
I know not, and must leave you to assess:
'Tis done, and even if you condemn, no less
That it is done shall I henceforth be glad;
For in it, not too thickly veiled or clad,
My verse doth much of what I am express,
Although to read it needs some wariness
Not to mistake its message gay or sad.
I know not, and must leave you to assess:
'Tis done, and even if you condemn, no less
That it is done shall I henceforth be glad;
For in it, not too thickly veiled or clad,
My verse doth much of what I am express,
Although to read it needs some wariness
Not to mistake its message gay or sad.
Whether the verse attract you or repel
In it you'll find no posing insincere;
And if no powerful inspiration swell
Its music to a note divine and clear,
It may be something in its verse doth dwell
That will to some kind hearts the bard endear.
In it you'll find no posing insincere;
And if no powerful inspiration swell
Its music to a note divine and clear,
It may be something in its verse doth dwell
That will to some kind hearts the bard endear.
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