Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BY WAY OF PREFACE (A REVERIE), by HENRY AUSTIN DOBSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BY WAY OF PREFACE (A REVERIE), by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: A preface!' yes. It might be well
Last Line: Refer the ruling ... To the reader!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dobson, Austin
Subject(s): Books; Reading


'Hoc opus, hic labor est.'

'A PREFACE?' Yes. It might be well,
If it could make the volume sell.
But 'tis a thing one may misuse.

For think -- 'twixt 'Qui s'excuse, s'accuse,'
And the temptation to explain
Where explanation must be vain;
Where everything you try to say
But seems to give yourself away;
And though you pause on every letter,
Suggests that silence would be better --
The feat is surely one for those
Who deal with jugglery in prose,
And, often, leads to little more
Than simply blocking up the door.

Moreover, there are complications.
If you admit your limitations,
Review your lapses, or refine them,
The Critic can but underline them,
And, to your indiscreet confessing,
Respond by blandly acquiescing,
As he, of course, is free to do
(In his place you would do it too!).
Thus, by the give-and-take of war,
You merely hoist with your petar;
In other words, for all your candour,
Get nothing but a neat back-hander;

No. On the whole, 'twere surely best
To let a risky matter rest;
And, in default of special pleader,
Refer the ruling ... to the Reader!





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