The Complete Poetical Works of Percy Bysshe Shelley (ed. Hutchinson, 1914)/An Exhortation
For other versions of this work, see An Exhortation.
AN EXHORTATION
[Published with Prometheus Unbound, 1820. Dated 'Pisa, April, 1820' in Harvard MS. (Woodberry), but assigned by Mrs. Shelley to 1819.]
Chameleons feed on light and air: Poets' food is love and fame:If in this wide world of care Poets could but find the sameWith as little toil as they, 5 Would they ever change their hue As the light chameleons do,Suiting it to every ray Twenty times a-day?
Poets are on this cold earth, 10 As chameleons might be,Hidden from their early birth In a cave beneath the sea;Where light is, chameleons change: Where love is not, poets do: 15 Fame is love disguised: if fewFind either never think it strange That poets range.
Yet dare not stain with wealth or power 19 A poet's free and heavenly mind:If bright chameleons should devour Any food but beams and wind,They would grow as earthly soon As their brother lizards are. Children of a sunnier star, 25Spirits from beyond the moon, Oh, refuse the boon!