the love affairs of a bibliomaniac-第27章
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and thus transplant into France the flowers of Britain; that they may fructify and perfume; not only the garden at York; but also the Paradise of Tours; and that we may say in the words of the song: ‘Let my beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruit;' and to the young: ‘Eat; O friends; drink; yea; drink abundantly; O beloved;' or exhort in the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘Every one that thirsteth to come to the waters; and ye that have no money; come ye; buy and eat: yea; come buy wine and milk; without money and without price。' ''
I was meaning to have somewhat to say about Alcuin; and had intended to pay my respects to Canute; Alfred; the Abbot of St。 Albans; the Archbishop of Salzburg; the Prior of Dover; and other mediaeval worthies; when Judge Methuen came in and interrupted the thread of my meditation。 The Judge brings me some verses done recently by a poet…friend of his; and he asks me to give them a place in these memoirs as illustrating the vanity of human confidence。
One day I got a missive Writ in a dainty hand; Which made my manly bosom With vanity expand。 'T was from a ‘‘young admirer'' Who asked me would I mind Sending her ‘‘favorite poem'' ‘‘In autograph; and signed。''
She craved the boon so sweetly That I had been a churl Had I repulsed the homage Of this gentle; timid girl; With bright illuminations I decked the manuscript; And in my choicest paints and inks My brush and pen I dipt。
Indeed it had been tedious But that a flattered smile Played on my rugged features And eased my toil the while。 I was assured my poem Would fill her with delight I fancied she was pretty I knew that she was bright!
And for a spell thereafter That unknown damsel's face With its worshipful expression Pursued me every place; Meseemed to hear her whisper: ‘‘O; thank you; gifted sir; For the overwhelming honor You so graciously confer!''
But a catalogue from Benjamin's Disproves what things meseemed Dispels with savage certainty The flattering dreams I dreamed; For that poor ‘‘favorite poem;'' Done and signed in autograph; Is listed in ‘‘Cheap Items'' At a dollar…and…a…half。
The End