Here you will find thePoemAn Orators Complaintof poet Robert Fuller Murray
How many the troubles that wait On mortals!?especially those Who endeavour in eloquent prose To expound their views, and orate. Did you ever attempt to speak When you hadn't a word to say? Did you find that it wouldn't pay, And subside, feeling dreadfully weak? Did you ever, when going ahead In a fervid defence of the Stage, Get checked in your noble rage By somehow losing your thread? Did you ever rise to reply To a toast (say 'The Volunteers'), And evoke loud laughter and cheers, When you didn't exactly know why? Did you ever wax witty, and when You had smashed an opponent quite small, Did he seem not to mind it at all, But get up and smash you again? If any or all of these things Have happened to you (as to me), I think you'll be found to agree With yours truly, when sadly he sings: 'How many the troubles that wait On mortals!?especially those Who endeavour in eloquent prose To expound their views, and orate.'
