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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


INSCRIPTION FOR ARTHUR RACKHAM'S RIP VAN WINKLE by JAMES ELROY FLECKER

First Line: SINCE YOUTH IS WISE, AND CANNOT COMPREHEND
Last Line: SANE MEN HAVE WORSHIPPED STRANGER GODS THAN THESE.
Subject(s): RACKHAM, ARTHUR (1867-1939);

Since youth is wise, and cannot comprehend
Proportion, nor behold things as they are,
@3Filoqeauoez@1 we'll be, my friend,
And laugh at what appears quadrangular.
Our only Gods shall be the Subterrane,
Pictures of things misshapen, harsh and crude,
The flattened Face outside the window-pane,
The little Squeak behind us in the wood.
Here, friend, are subtly drawn uncommon things:
Make such your Gods: they only understand.
Only a Headless Ape with slimy wings
Can whisk you round the Interesting Land.
Though after twenty years they may not please,
Sane men have worshipped stranger Gods than these.



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