To Symon Gray
written in 1787
To Symon Gray - meaning Summary
Friendly, Scathing Mockery
This brief comic poem records a speaker’s blunt response to a friend’s verse. Addressing Symon (Cimon) Gray, the speaker jokes that Gray’s wit has been seized by dulness, recounts having read the submitted rhymes carefully, and then delivers an exaggeratedly scornful verdict. The poem trades on friendly familiarity and coarse humor to mock poor poetic taste while showcasing the speaker’s authority to judge. Its effect is companionable ridicule: the friendship frames an insult as jest, and the crude closing image underlines the poem’s playful contempt rather than malice.
Read Complete AnalysesSymon Gray, You're dull today. Dulness, with redoubted sway, Has seized the wits of Symon Gray. Dear Cimon Gray, The other day, When you sent me some rhyme, I could not then just ascertain Its worth, for want of time. But now today, good Mr. Gray, I've read it o'er and o'er, Tried all my skill, but find I'm still Just where I was before. We auld wives' minions gie our opinions, Solicited or no; Then of its fau'ts my honest thoughts I'll give - and here they go. Such d-'d bombast no time that's past Will show, or time to come, So, Cimon dear, your song I'll tear, And with it wipe my bum.
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