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T H E WOR L D | 63 The vulgar, gazing widely and unknowingly, Still volunteered their cheap impressions flowingly, “Oh, come and see!” But all that they could say of art’s reality Was this poor voice of poorer personality, “Now, that suits me!” Technique Cometh to-day the very skilful man; Profoundly skilful in his chosen art; All things that other men can do he can, And so them better. He is very smart. Sayeth, “My work is here before you all; Come now with duly cultured mind to view it. Here is great work, no part of it is small; Perceive how well I do it! “I do it to perfection. Studious years Were spent to reach the pinnacle I’ve won; Labor and thought are in my work, and tears. Behold how well ’tis done! “See with what power this great effect is shown; See with what ease you get the main idea; A master in my art, I stand alone; Now you may praise,—I hear.” And I, O master, I perceive your sway, I note the years of study, toil, and strain That brought the easy power you wield to-day, The height you now attain. “Freely your well-trained power I see you spend, Such skill in all my life I never saw; You have done nobly; but, my able friend, What have you done it for? “You have no doubt achieved your dearest end: Your work is faultless to the cultured view. You do it well, but, O my able friend, What is it that you do?” The Pastellette65 “The pastille is too strong,” said he “Lo! I will make it fainter yet!” And he wrought with tepid ecstasy A pastellette. 64 | In This Our World A touch—a word—a tone half caught— He softly felt and handled them; Flavor of feeling—scent of thought— Shimmer of gem— That we may read, and feel as he What vague, pale pleasure we can get From this mild, witless mystery,— The pastellette. The Pig and the Pearl Said the Pig to the Pearl, “Oh, fie! Tasteless, and hard, and dry— Get out of my sty! Glittering, smooth, and clean, You only seek to be seen! I am dirty and big! A virtuous, valuable pig. For me all things are sweet That I can possibly eat; But you—how can you be good Without being fit for food? Not even food for me, Who can eat all this you see, No matter how foul and sour; I revel from hour to hour In refuse of great and small; But you are no good at all, And if I should gulp you, quick, It would probably make me sick!” Said the Pig to the Pearl, “Oh, fie!” And she rooted her out of the sty. A Philosopher chancing to pass Saw the Pearl in the grass, And laid hand on the same in a trice, For the Pearl was a Pearl of Great Price.66 Said he, “Madame Pig, if you knew What a fool thing you do, It would grieve even you! Grant that pearls are not just to your taste, Must you let them run waste? You care only for hogwash, I know, For your litter and you. Even you, This tasteless hard thing which you scorn Would buy acres of corn; ...

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