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ANACREONTIC TO A PLUMASSIER, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Fine and feathery artisan!
Last Line: "write ""I serve"" and all's complete."
Alternate Author Name(s): Little, Thomas


FINE and feathery artisan!
Best of Plumists, if you can
With your art so far presume,
Make for me a P -- e's Plume --
Feathers soft and feathers rare,
Such as suits a P -- e to wear!

First, thou downiest of men!
Seek me out a fine Pea-hen;
Such a Hen, so tall and grand,
As by Juno's side might stand,
If there were no Cocks at hand!
Seek her feathers, soft as down,
Fit to shine on P -- e's crown;
If thou canst not find them, stupid!
Ask the way of Prior's Cupid.

Ranging these in order due,
Pluck me next an old Cuckoo
Emblem of the happy fates
Of easy, kind, cornuted mates.
Pluck him well -- be sure you do --
Who wouldn't be an old Cuckoo,
Thus to have his plumage blest,
Beaming on a R -- y -- l crest?

Bravo, Plumist! -- now what bird
Shall we find for Plume the third?
You must get a learned Owl,
Bleakest of black-letter fowl --
Bigot bird, that hates the light,
Foe to all that's fair and bright!
Seize his quills (so form'd to pen
Books, that shun the search of men;
Books, that, far from every eye,
In "swelter'd venom sleeping" lie!)
Stick them in between the two,
Proud Pea-hen and old Cuckoo.

Now you have the triple feather,
Bind the kindred stems together
With a silken tie, whose hue
Once was brilliant Buff and Blue;
Sullied now -- alas, how much!
Only fit for Y -- rm -- th's touch.

There -- enough -- thy task is done;
Present worthy G -- ge's Son!
Now, beneath, in letters neat,
Write "I serve" and all's complete.





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