A PAINTER once -- 't was many years ago -- Gave public notice it was his intent To change his style of art; and that he meant "Henceforth to paint like Michael Angelo!" The artist's scheme was sensible, no doubt, But still his pictures, though he thought them fine, Remained so poor in color and design, His plan seemed rather hard to carry out. By every common amateur surpassed, The people laughed, as well enough they might, To see the fellow, in ambition's spite, Go on a wretched dauber to the last! To rival Genius in her great inventions Needs (that's the moral) more than good intentions! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STORY OF AUGUSTUS WHO WOULD NOT HAVE ANY SOUP by HEINRICH HOFFMANN CA' THE YOWES TO THE KNOWES' by ISOBEL (ISABEL) PAGAN LACHRYMAE MUSARUM (THE DEATH OF TENNYSON) by WILLIAM WATSON AN ELECTIVE COURSE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE FLOWER GIRL (REIGN OF QUEEN ANNE) by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE ETERNAL TRIANGLE by EMMA BOWERS |