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About this quote

What does it mean?
Poets' merit is obscured because their edits (removing flawed parts) remain unseen by the audience.
In plain terms
Poets don't get full credit for what they delete.
What can you take from it?
Editing work is invisible but valuable.

Where it applies

  • creative writing
  • literary critique

Putting it to work

  • editing work
  • teaching writing

Questions to consider

  • How much work goes into art?
  • Does effort matter if unseen?

Another view

It assumes the audience cannot appreciate the refinement process.

More from Edmund Waller

  1. The Muses' friend, Tea, does our fancy aid, Repress the vapours which the head invade, ? And keeps the palace of the soul serene.

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  2. The soul's dark cottage, battered and decayed, Lets in new light through chinks that Time has made; Stronger by weakness, wiser, men become As they draw near t…

    Permalink to quote #13
  3. Poets that lasting marble seek Must come in Latin or in Greek.

    Permalink to quote #10

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