Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VIRGILII CARMINA, by FREDERIC ROWLAND MARVIN



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VIRGILII CARMINA, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How I love thee, little book!
Last Line: With my virgil hand in hand!
Subject(s): Art & Artists; Books; Muses; Poetry & Poets; Printing And Printers; Singing & Singers; Reading


HOW I love thee, little book!
Virgil made thee years ago—
Sweeter poet never lived
In this winter-world of ours;
And good Didot printed well
All thy pages fair to see;
'T was an artist of rare grace
Made the pictures that adorn
Volume of such sweet delight,
From the Roman singer's heart.
What companionship is thine,
Gentle friend of happy hours!
When I turn thy sacred leaves,
Page on page of minted gold,
Jewels from the mine of thought,
Flowers of earth, and asphodel,
All are mine—O, treasure great!

When the evening shadows fall,
And the twinkling stars on high
Burn above my quiet home,
In my little room I go,
And before the firelight muse,
With the Georgics open wide.

Æneas lives again in thee:
Throng around me men of old;
Songs of battle and of love,
Songs of ploughed and fertile fields,
Gladness of our human life,
Toil, and sorrow, and despair,
All that man has known or been,
Throb and burn upon thy page.
O, what bliss my heart inspires,
As I wander far away,
With my Virgil hand in hand!





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