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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE PASSIONATE PRINTER TO HIS LOVE by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: COME LIVE WITH ME AND BE MY DEAR
Last Line: AMANDUS TYPOGRAPHICUS.
Subject(s): PRINTING & PRINTERS;

(Whose name is Amanda.)

With Apologies to the Shade of Christopher Marlowe.

COME live with me and be my Dear;
And till that happy bond shall lapse,
I'll set your Poutings in Brevier,
Your Praises in the largest CAPS.

There's Diamond -- 'tis for your Eyes;
There's Ruby -- that will match your Lips;
Pearl, for your Teeth; and Minion-size
To suit your dainty Finger-tips.

In Nonpareil I'll put your Face;
In Rubric shall your Blushes rise;
There is no Bourgeois in your Case;
Your Form can never need 'Revise.'

Your Cheeks seem 'Ready for the Press';
Your Laugh as Clarendon is clear;
There's more distinction in your Dress
Than in the oldest Elzevir.

So with me live, and with me die;
And may no 'FINIS' e'er intrude
To break into mere 'Printers' Pie'
The Type of our Beatitude!

(ERRATUM. -- If my suit you flout,
And choose some happier Youth to wed,
'Tis but to cross AMANDA out,
And read another name instead.)

AMANDUS TYPOGRAPHICUS.



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