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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO EDMUND GOSSE, WITH A COPY OF WALTON'S LIVES by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON

Poet Analysis

First Line: YOU WRITE YOUR LIFE OF DONNE.'TWILL BE
Last Line: AND YOU MUST ANSWER, FRIEND, NOT I.
Subject(s): WALTON, IZAAK (1593-1683);
YOU write your Life of Donne. 'Twill be
A masterpiece of sympathy!
Exact, I know, in fact and date,
And skilled to lead, to stimulate,
To show, as you would have him seen,
That morbid, mystic, mighty Dean.
But will you catch old Izaak's phrase
That glows with energy of praise?
Old Izaak's ambling unpretence
That flames with untaught eloquence?
Will you? I pause for a reply,
And you must answer, Friend, not I.



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