Consolation

SHAKESPEARE was not accounted great When good Queen Bess ruled England's state, So why should I to-day repine Because the laurel is not mine?

Perhaps in twenty-ninety-three Folks will begin to talk of me, And somewhere statues may be built Of me, in bronze, perhaps in gilt,

And sages full of quips and quirks Will wonder if I wrote my works. So why should I repine to-day Because my brow wears not the bay?