SONNET TO A CRITIC

When poets sing of love and laughter, dream
Their visionary dreams of sun and sky,
And weep that life is made a tragedy: -
When writers cover paper by the ream
Developing some sad half-happy theme
Describing life and how it passes by: -
When politicians Gordian knots untie
To introduce some beneficial scheme: -

Then is it that the honest critic should
Point out the weaknesses, the errors flay,
And pour cold water where it may do good
In case the gullible be led astray.

All this, my friend, is what you ought to do:
Must you refrigerate the water too?