Limitations Of Genius

The audience entire seemed pleased - indeed     Extremely pleased. And little Maymie, freed     From her task of instructing, ran to show     Her wondrous colored picture to and fro     Among the company.         "And how comes it," said     Some one to Mr. Hammond, "that, instead     Of the inventor's life you did not choose     The artist's? - since the world can better lose     A cutting-box or reaper than it can     A noble picture painted by a man     Endowed with gifts this drawing would suggest" -     Holding the picture up to show the rest.     "There now!" chimed in the wife, her pale face lit     Like winter snow with sunrise over it, -     "That's what I'm always asking him. - But he -     Well, as he's answering you, he answers me, -     With that same silent, suffocating smile     He's wearing now!"         For quite a little while     No further speech from anyone, although     All looked at Mr. Hammond and that slow,     Immutable, mild smile of his. And then     The encouraged querist asked him yet again     Why was it, and etcetera - with all     The rest, expectant, waiting 'round the wall, -     Until the gentle Mr. Hammond said     He'd answer with a "parable," instead -     About "a dreamer" that he used to know -     "An artist" - "master" - all - in embryo.