Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BIBLIOMANIAC'S PRAYER, by EUGENE FIELD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BIBLIOMANIAC'S PRAYER, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Keep me, I pray, in wisdom's way
Last Line: Uncut, unique, unknown to lowndes.
Subject(s): Books; Reading


KEEP me, I pray, in wisdom's way,
That I may truths eternal seek;
I need protecting care to-day, --
My purse is light, my flesh is weak.
So banish from my erring heart
All baleful appetites and hints
Of Satan's fascinating art,
Of first editions, and of prints.
Direct me in some godly walk
Which leads away from bookish strife,
That I with pious deed and talk
May extra-illustrate my life.

But if, O Lord, it pleaseth Thee
To keep me in temptation's way,
I humbly ask that I may be
Most notably beset to-day;
Let my temptation be a book,
Which I shall purchase, hold, and keep,
Whereon, when other men shall look,
They'll wail to know I got it cheap.
Oh, let it such a volume be
As in rare copperplates abounds,
Large paper, clean, and fair to see,
Uncut, unique, unknown to Lowndes.





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