Some men of books or friends not speaking right, May hurt them more with praise, than foes with spite. But I have seen thy work, and I know thee: And, if thou list thyself, what thou canst be. For, though but early in these paths thou tread, I find thee write most worthy to be read. It must be thine own judgement, yet, that sends This thy work forth: that judgement mine commends. And, where the most read books, on authors' fames, Or, like our money-brokers, take up names On credit, and are cozened; see, that thou By offering not more sureties, than enou', Hold thine own worth unbroke: which is so good Upon the Exchange of letters, as I would More of our writers would like thee, not swell With the 'how much' they set forth, but the 'how well'. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MONK IN THE KITCHEN by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH THE SHEPHERD BOY'S SONG, FR. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS by JOHN BUNYAN THE THRUSH'S NEST by JOHN CLARE A CORN SONG by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR SPARKLING AND BRIGHT by CHARLES FENNO HOFFMAN THE FISH, THE MAN, AND THE SPIRIT (COMPLETE) by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT |