SONNET

sonnet

st.crispintomr.gifford(1819)

allunadvised,andinanevilhour,

luredbyaspiringthoughts,myson,youdaft

thelowlylaboursofthegentlecraft

forlearnedtoils,whichbloodandspiritssour.

allthings,dearpledge,arenotinallmen'spower;

thewisersortofshrubaffectstheground;

andsweetcontentofmindisoftenerfound

incobbler'sparlour,thanincritic'sbower.

thesorestworkiswhatdothcrossthegrain;

andbettertothishouryouhadbeenplying

theobsequiousawlwithwell-waxedfingerflying,

thanceaselessthustotillathanklessvein;

stillteazingmuses,whicharestilldenying;

makingastretching-leatherofyourbrain.