To William Hayley, Esq. June 29, 1793.
Dear architect of fine Chateaux in air,
Worthier to stand for ever, if they could,
Than any built of stone, or yet of wood,
For back of royal elephant to bear;
Oh for permission from the skies to share,
Much to my own, though little to thy good,
With thee, (not subject to the jealous mood!)
A partnership of literary ware!
But I am bankrupt now; and doomed henceforth
To drudge, in descant dry, on others’ lays;
Bards, I acknowledge, of unequalled worth,
But what is commentator’s happiest praise?
That he has furnished lights for other eyes,
Which they who need them use, and then despise.
