The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang Edited by Mrs. Lang |
 | I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
|
|
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| II. |
| VIII. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| IX. |
|
|
|
|
| X. |
| XI. |
| III. |
| XIII. |
|
|
| XIV. |
|
|
|
| I. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
|
|
What Francesco said of the Jubilee
|
| IV. |
| XV. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| XVI. |
|
|
|
 | The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang |  |
What Francesco said of the Jubilee
By R. B.
What if we call it fifty years! 'Tis steep!To climb so high a gradient? Prate of guides?
Are we not roped? The danger? Nay, the Turf,
No less nor more than mountain peaks, my friend,
Hears talk of Roping—but the Jubilee!
Nay, there you have me: old Francesco once
(This was in Milan, in Visconti's time,
Our wild Visconti, with one lip askance,
And beard tongue-twisted in the nostril's nook)
Parlous enough—these times—what? ‘So are ours’?
Or any times, i'fegs, to him who thinks—
Well 'twas in spring ‘the frolic myrtle trees
There gendered the grave olive stocks’—you cry
‘A miracle’!—Sordello writeth thus—
Believe me that indeed 'twas thus, and he,
Francesco, you are with me? Well, there's gloom
220
‘And so’, said he, ‘to supper as we may.’
‘Voltairean’? So you take it; but 'tis late,
And dinner seven, sharp, at Primrose Hill.
| The Poetical Works of Andrew Lang | |