William Topaz McGonagall

Genius

What is genius?
’Tis a thing seldom rewarded;
If you are in poverty
’Tis sure to be disregarded.
But if you are a rich man
Your company is courted
By the high and the low,
Throughout the world wherever you go.
Whereas the poor man
By his fellow-workmen is spurned;
They look on him with a jealous eye,
And their noses upturn’d,
And they say to themselves,
You are no greater than we;
If you are, show it,
And we’ll all worship thee.
And rally around you,
And applaud you to the skies;
And none of us all
Will ever you despise,
Because you can help yourself,
You are a very great man,
And every one of us
Will do all that we can,
You for to please,
And never will tease,
Nor try to offend you,
By any misbehaviour;
And to court your favour
We will always endeavour.
That is the way genius
Is rewarded;
But if you are in poverty
’Tis sure to be disregarded.