The Lace-makers

: Literary Fables Of Yriarte

Near a lace-weaver, lived

A man who made silver and gold galloons.

"Now, who would have believed,

Neighbor," said he, "that, even for more doubloons,

Three yards of your light lace are sold

Than ten of mine, though wrought in heavy gold!"



"That my articles exceed

In value, sir, so very much your own,

Is not strange; although, indeed,

You work in gold, and I in thread alone.

For skill is known to all

To be of greater worth than raw material."



* * * * *



Let those, at style who sneer,

And, to regard the matter only, condescend,

Note that--as here

A simple thread doth precious gold transcend--

So elegance and finish give

That form to thought, by which great works shall live.



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