David Everett. 1769-1813.
You 'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage;
And if I chance to fall below
Demosthenes or Cicero,
Don't view me with a critic's eye,
But pass my imperfections by.
Large streams from little fountains flow,
Tall oaks from little acorns grow.[459:2]
Lines written for a School Declamation.
Footnotes
[459:2] The lofty oak from a small acorn grows.—Lewis Duncombe (1711-1730): De Minimis Maxima (translation).