The Young Author

   

    I chose this weeks poem just because I thought the title was apt. However, the English, poet and writer Samuel Johnson's words tell us a young author's troublesome journey in search of his fame and fortune.

The Young Author

When first the peasant, long inclined to roam

Forsakes his rural sports and peaceful home

Pleased with the scene the smiling ocean yields

He scorns the verdant meads and flowery fields

Then dances jocund over the watery way

While the breeze whispers, and the streamers play

Unbounded prospects in his bosom roll

And future millions lift his rising soul

In blissful dreams he digs the golden mine

And raptured sees the new-found ruby shine

Joys insincere, thick clouds invade the skies

Loud roar the billows, high the waves arise

Sickening with fear, he longs to view the shore

And vows to trust the faithless deep no more

So the Young Author, panting after fame

And the long honours of a lasting name

Intrusts his happiness to human kind

More false, more cruel, than the seas, or wind

'Toil on, dull crowd' (in ecstasies he cries)

'For wealth or title, perishable prize

While I those transitory blessings scorn

Secure of praise from ages yet unborn'

This thought once formed, all counsel comes too late

He flies to press, and hurries on his fate

Swiftly he sees the imagined laurels spread

And feels the unfading wreath surround his head

Warned by another's fate, vain youth, be wise,

Those dreams were Settle's once, and Ogilby's

The pamphlet spreads, incessant hisses rise

To some retreat the baffled writer flies

Where no sour critics snarl, no sneers molest

Safe from the tart lampoon, and stinging jest

There begs of Heaven a less distinguished lot

Glad to be hid, and proud to be forgot 

 Samuel Johnson 1709-1784