The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang | ||
221
The Poet and the Jubilee
Poscimur!
By A. D.
A birthday
Ode for Meg or Nan,
A Rhyme for Lady Flora's Fan,
A Verse on Smut, who's gone astray—
These Things are in the Poet's way;
At Home with praise of Julia's Lace,
Or Delia's Ankles, Rose's Face,
But ‘Something overparted’ He,
When asked to rhyme the Jubilee!
A Rhyme for Lady Flora's Fan,
A Verse on Smut, who's gone astray—
These Things are in the Poet's way;
At Home with praise of Julia's Lace,
Or Delia's Ankles, Rose's Face,
But ‘Something overparted’ He,
When asked to rhyme the Jubilee!
He therefore turns, the Poet wary,
And thumbs his Carmen Seculare,
To Ph(ce)bus and to Dian prays,
Who tune Men's Lyres of Holidays;
He reads of the Sibylline Shades,
Of Stainless Boys and chosen Maids.
He turns, and reads the other Page,
Of docile Youth, and placid Age,
Then sings how, in this golden year
Fides Pudorque reappear—
And if they don't appear, you know it
Were quite unjust to blame the Poet!
And thumbs his Carmen Seculare,
To Ph(ce)bus and to Dian prays,
Who tune Men's Lyres of Holidays;
He reads of the Sibylline Shades,
Of Stainless Boys and chosen Maids.
He turns, and reads the other Page,
Of docile Youth, and placid Age,
222
Fides Pudorque reappear—
And if they don't appear, you know it
Were quite unjust to blame the Poet!
The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang | ||