Rosemary and Pansies/To the Critic
TO THE CRITIC
What's written's written; whether good or badI know not, and must leave you to assess:'Tis done, and even if you condemn, no lessThat 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 warinessNot to mistake its message gay or sad.
Whether the verse attract you or repelIn it you'll find no posing insincere;And if no powerful inspiration swellIts music to a note divine and clear,It may be something in its verse doth dwellThat will to some kind hearts the bard endear.