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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


LUCAS A NON; EPIGRAM by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

First Line: YOU'LL OFT FIND IN BOOKS, RATHER ANCIENT THAN RECENT
Last Line: THAT DESUNT MEANS SIMPLY NOT DECENT TO PRINT!
Subject(s): LANGUAGE; WORDS; VOCABULARY;

YOU'll oft find in books, rather ancient than recent,
A gap in the page marked with "cetera desunt,"
By which you may commonly take it for granted
The passage is wanting without being wanted;
And may borrow, besides, a significant hint
That desunt means simply not decent to print!



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