Social Commentaries
The Clown’s Reply
From The Complete Poetical Works, ed. Austin Dobson (Oxford, 1906)
Social Commentaries
JOHN TROTT was desired by two witty peers
To tell them the reason why asses had ears?
‘An’t please you,’ quoth John, ‘I’m not given to letters,
Nor dare I pretend to know more than my betters;
Howe’er, from this time I shall ne’er see your graces,
As I hope to be saved! without thinking on asses.’
Cite this poem
MLA
Goldsmith, Oliver. “The Clown’s Reply.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/goldsmith/31/.
Chicago
Goldsmith, Oliver. “The Clown’s Reply.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/goldsmith/31/.
Read this poem with the Codex →