 | Poems and Songs |  |
63
A Little Brief Authority.
I
Not every one who readeth LambCan eat lamb to his supper;
Nor is a man a battering-ram
Because he's fond of Tupper;
And he who thinks he must be crabbed
Who studies Crabbe's mistaken,
As much as he who call's him “hog”
Who's deeply read in Bacon.
II
A man may study Chatterton,Yet not be very mouthy;
And he who goes right in for North
May still incline for Southey.
The reader who delights in Scott
May relish something subtler
And he may not be quite a sot,
Though very fond of Butler.
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III
A frosty man may thaw his heartWith Burns's glowing lyric;
Or he may soar with Shelley's lark,
And dance with cheerful Herrick.
A clown may sadly ponder o'er
The “Serious Call” of Law, sir;
And he sit at home, yet go
On pilgrimage with Chaucer.
IV
A man who is no cricketerWith Bowles may be delighted;
An old man may, with solemn Young,
Get gloriously benighted.
A man may live in Reading town
Who cannot read a book, sir;
And an hungry man can hardly help
But love Eliza Cook, sir.
V
The student who Longfellow readsMay be a dumpy figure;
In pale Kirke White he may delight,
And yet be like a nigger.
An exile may be deep in Home,
Yet far away from thither;
And he who leaneth unto Gay,
May still incline to Wither.
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VI
A man may handle Mallet well,And yet know nought of Mason;
In Barbour he may take delight,
Who hates a barber's bason.
The man who Hunts with Robin Hood,
In Paine may take a pleasure;
A simple maid may find a charm
In Swain's delightful measure.
VII
A brisk man may be “grave” with Blair,And never look at Barrett;
And he may read a deal of Clare,
Who doesn't care for claret;
A dark-haired wight may turn to Gray,
A snowy pate to Browning;
And a man may like the works of Smiles,
And yet be always frowning.
VIII
A man may daily go to Mill,Who nothing knows of Cotton;
A sad heart may delight in Fane,
And cheerful be with Wotton:
A mason may know nought of Lodge;
A pris'ner nought of Bailey;
A slow man may run over Swift;
A friend De Foe read daily.
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IX
A man may have a merry heart,Who cannot do with Tickell;
With Hervey he may go apart,
And yet hate sauce and pickle.
A man may like a bit of Hogg,
Who cannot stomach collop;
And a modest maiden, prim and shy,
May be inclined to Trollope.
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