[Reading proof, in] Poets and Poetry of printerdom a collection of Original, Selected, and Fugitive Lyrics, written by persons connected with printing ... |
 |
 | [Reading proof, in] Poets and Poetry of printerdom |  |
289
READING PROOF.
A printer and his proof this thought suggest:That, though at first unblemished it appears,
Subjected to the keen-eyed reader's test,
The proof full soon a different aspect wears.
With errors marred and marked, the unskilled eye
Looks on despairing, seeing no avail;
But, mark the change, when, printed, by and by,
The blotched offences into order pale.
So may some life, we, superficial, scan,
Seem pure and true; but, changing as we look,
We read the uncorrected proof of man,
And mark the margin as a page of book:
Some more, some less; but, 'neath correction wise,
'T will all read rightly in the last revise.
| [Reading proof, in] Poets and Poetry of printerdom | |