THE Flint and Steel -- the story goes -- Old friends by natural relation, Fell out, one day, and, like two foes, Indulged in bitter altercation. "I'm weary," said the angry Flint, "Of being beat; 't is past concealing; Your conduct (witness many a dint Upon my sides!) is most unfeeling. "And what reward have I to show? What sort of payment do you render, To one who bears each hateful blow That you may blaze in transient splendor?" "You seem to think yourself abused," The Steel replied with proper spirit; "But, say, unless with me you're used, What praise of service do you merit? "Your worth, as any one may see (For all your feeling of defiance), Is simply nought, unless with me You keep your natural alliance." "True!" said the Flint; "but there's no call, Whate'er my worth, for you to flout it; My value, sir, may be but small; But think what yours would be without it!" MORAL. The writer who depends alone On genius, hoping to be able To cope with scholars fully grown, May profit by this simple fable. As from the Steel no fire comes forth, Until it feels the Flint's abrasion; So genius is of little worth Without the aid of cultivation. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A YOUNG LADY; WHO ... REPROACHED FOR TAKING LONG WALKS IN COUNTRY by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH PRAYER TO THE VIRGIN OF CHARTRES by HENRY BROOKS ADAMS THE WARM CRADLE by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA CESAR FRANCK by JOSEPH AUSLANDER FIRST SNOW by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |