|
Apollo
against the Artists
"I also am a painter!" was said, as all men know
And said by no mean artist, three centuries ago.
But lo! An artist greater far among us now appears;
For after shining quietly on for twice three thousand years
Old Sol takes up his parable, and says - "I've now on view
Some pictures that, perhaps, may show that I'm an artist
too."
"If any man shall doubt the fact, let him proceed
straightway
To my Great Exhibition-Room and there his shilling pay.
I think I there may promise him his shilling's worth and
more
In Portraits such as mortal eye ne'er looked upon before;
In Temples and in Palaces - in scenes by land and sea -
For nothing that I shine upon can come amiss to me!"
"Old Sol had scarcely spoken thus, when forth I went
straightway
To his Great Exhibition-Room, my shilling there to
pay.
And scarcely had I passed the door, and laid my money down
When I exclaimed
'A
shilling's worth! Why this is worth a crown.
He really is a painter!
His own account is true.
I only wish we saw him here far oft'ner than we do'."
The Courant, 22
Jan1857 |