Young Prodigies
Reading edition
Fair criticism on young prodigies and Rosciuses in verse, or on the stage, is arraigned,
...as the envious sneaping frost That bites the first-born infants of the spring.
If there were no better answer, the following a good heart would scarcely admit; but where nine-tenths of the applause have been mere wonderment and miracle-lust (
Wundursucht
) these verses are an excellent accompaniment to other arguments:
Well, say it be! Yet why of summer boast, Before the birds have natural cause to sing? Why should we joy in an abortive birth? At Christmas I no more desire a rose, Than wish a snow in May's new budding shows; But like of each thing that in reason grows. Love's Labours Lost. 1
Footnote 1
: Slightly altered.
Ed.
Contents Contents, p.5