Myriad-leaved as an elm; Starred with shining word and phrase; Wondrous words that overwhelm, Phrases vivid, swift, divine; Gracious turn of verse and line -- O God, all praise For a book; its tears, its wit, Its faults, and the perfect joy of it! Oh, to dip Headlong in! Cleaving down Through lucent depths of verb and noun To the rare thought that lies Embedded; and arise Pearl-laden toward the skies, Blowing bright foam of adjectives about one's lip! @3Sappho -- burning heart of her; Sweet Saint Francis, star-besprent; Young Kit Marlowe, sped and spent; Montaigne, royal gossiper; Brave Munchausen, dauntless liar; Lamb's dear whimsey; Shelley's flight; Hot Catullus all afire; Shakespeare, chiefest heart's delight!@1 O God, all praise! That in brief, swift days Thou mad'st the world's green gardens, and forsook Thy labor, leaving man and time to make the book! |