More Poets Yet!

A Rondeau for John Leicester Warren

"MORE Poets yet!"--I hear him say,

Arming his heavy hand to slay;--

"Despite my skill and 'swashing blow,"

They seem to sprout where'er I go;--

I killed a host but yesterday!"

Slash on, O Hercules! You may.

Your task's, at best, a Hydra-fray;

And though you cut, not less will grow

More Poets yet!

Too arrogant! For who shall stay

The first blind motions of the May?

Who shall out-blot the morning glow?--

Or stem the full heart's overflow?

Who? There will rise, till Time decay,

More Poets yet!

Austin Dobson