The Wall-flower And The Thyme
:
Literary Fables Of Yriarte
A Wall-flower spoke,--as I have somewhere read,--
A Thyme-plant growing in a neighboring bed,
In the flower language, scornfully addressing:
"Heaven help you, Thyme! 'Tis really distressing!
Though the most fragrant of all plants, I own,
Scarce a hand's breadth above the ground you've grown."
"Dear friend, that I'm of humble height, 'tis true,
But without help I grow. I pity you,
That cannot rise, even a hand's breadth high,
Without a wall to climb by, if you try."
* * * * *
For writers, who, by clinging to the name
Of others, arrogate an author's fame,--
By adding to a work, perchance a note,
Or a short preface,--this response I quote.