WHAT is a poet's love?-- br To write a girl a sonnet, br To get a ring, or some such thing, br And fustianize upon it. br br What is a poet's fame?-- br Sad hints about his reason, br And sadder praise from garreteers, br To be returned in season. br br Where go the poet's lines?-- br Answer, ye evening tapers! br Ye auburn locks, ye golden curls, br Speak from your folded papers! br br Child of the ploughshare, smile; br Boy of the counter, grieve not, br Though muses round thy trundle-bed br Their broidered tissue weave not. br br The poet's future holds br No civic wreath above him; br Nor slated roof, nor varnished chaise, br Nor wife nor child to love him.