THE audience entire seemed pleased -- indeed, @3Extremely@1 pleased. And little Maymie, freed From her task of instructing, ran to show Her wondrous colored picture to and fro Among the company. "And how comes it," said Some one to Mr. Hammond, "that, instead Of the inventor's life, you did not choose The @3artist's?@1 -- since the world can better lose A cutting-box or reaper than it can A noble picture painted by a man Endowed with gifts this drawing would suggest" -- Holding the picture up to show the rest. @3"There now!"@1 chimed in the wife, her pale face lit Like winter snow with sunrise over it, -- "That's what @3I'm@1 always asking him. -- But @3he@1 -- @3Well,@1 as he's answering @3you,@1 he answers @3me,@1 -- With that same silent, suffocating smile He's wearing now!" For quite a little while No further speech from any one, although All looked at Mr. Hammond and that slow, Immutable, mild smile of his. And then The encouraged querist asked him yet again @3Why was it,@1 and et cetera -- with all The rest, expectant, waiting round the wall, -- Until the gentle Mr. Hammond said He'd answer with a @3"parable,"@1 instead -- About "a dreamer" that he used to know -- "An artist" -- "master" -- @3all@1 -- in @3embryo@1. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A MAN'S REQUIREMENTS by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A LITTLE DUTCH GARDEN by HARRIET WHITNEY DURBIN FROM THE IONIAN ISLANDS by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES BREAK OF DAY IN THE TRENCHES by ISAAC ROSENBERG GOOD-BYE MY FANCY! by WALT WHITMAN PRAYER OF COLUMBUS by WALT WHITMAN THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE by ALEXANDER ANDERSON |