 | The Poetry of Real Life |  |
175
ON AN OLD AND DIRTY COPY OF SHAKSPEAR.
There lies a little book much soiled and worn:Yet hath it charms and spells potential—
It, from the depths of human Thought, can call
Forth answers: it hath treasures like the Morn,
Gladness, and songs, and light, and souls forlorn
Can cheer, with touches sweet and musical—
And ready sympathy it hath for all,
At all times: none doth it deny or scorn!
And many-a sublime brow hath o'er it bent,
With spiritual crown by hands not made,
Anointed to some great accomplishment
With chrism upon royal heads not laid:
To some great, corresponding argument
Singing “with voice memorial in the shade!”
| The Poetry of Real Life | |