371

A precious-mouldering pleasure-'tis-
To meet an Antique Book-
In just the Dress his Century wore-
A privilege-I think-

His venerable Hand to take-
And warming in our own-
A passage back-or two-to make-
To Times when he-was young-

His quaint opinions-to inspect-
His thought to ascertain
On Themes concern our mutual mind-
The Literature of Man-

What interested Scholars-most-
What Competitions ran-
When Plato-was a Certainty-
And Sophocles-a Man-

When Sappho-was a living Girl-
And Beatrice wore
The Gown that Dante-deified-
Facts Centuries before

He traverses-familiar-
As One should come to Town-
And tell you all your Dreams-were true-
He lived-where Dreams were born-

His presence is Enchantment-
You beg him not to go-
Old Volume shake their Vellum Heads
And tantalize-just so-