Collected poems By Austin Dobson: Ninth edition |
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EPILOGUE TO “EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY VIGNETTES
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 | Collected poems |  |
457
EPILOGUE TO “EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY VIGNETTES
(SECOND SERIES)
“What is it then,”—some Reader asks,—
“What is it that attaches
Your fancy so to fans and masks,—
To periwigs and patches?
“What is it that attaches
Your fancy so to fans and masks,—
To periwigs and patches?
“Is Human Life to-day so poor,—
So bloodless,—you disdain it,
To ‘galvanize’ the Past once more?”
—Permit me. I'll explain it.
So bloodless,—you disdain it,
To ‘galvanize’ the Past once more?”
—Permit me. I'll explain it.
This Age I grant (and grant with pride),
Is varied, rich, eventful;
But, if you touch its weaker side
Deplorably resentful:
Is varied, rich, eventful;
But, if you touch its weaker side
Deplorably resentful:
Belaud it, and it takes your praise
With air of calm conviction;
Condemn it, and at once you raise
A storm of contradiction.
With air of calm conviction;
Condemn it, and at once you raise
A storm of contradiction.
458
Whereas with these old Shades of mine,
Their ways and dress delight me;
And should I trip by word or line,
They cannot well indict me.
Their ways and dress delight me;
And should I trip by word or line,
They cannot well indict me.
Not that I think to err. I seek
To steer 'twixt blame and blindness;
I strive (as some one said in Greek)
To speak the truth with kindness:
To steer 'twixt blame and blindness;
I strive (as some one said in Greek)
To speak the truth with kindness:
But—should I fail to render clear
Their title, rank, or station—
I still may sleep secure, nor fear
A suit for defamation.
Their title, rank, or station—
I still may sleep secure, nor fear
A suit for defamation.
| Collected poems | |