Nugae Modernae Morning thoughts, and midnight musings: consisting of casual reflections, egotisms, &c. In prose and verse. By Thomas Park |
 |
TO E. H., ESQ.
|
 | Nugae Modernae |  |
89
TO E. H., ESQ.
WITH A SMALL PLAIN COPY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT.
Two books, my friend, you sought to borrow,And they did greet you on the morrow:
One other now I wish to give,—
Oh, may you prize it while you live!
For 'tis a volume quite unique,
None but itself its worth can speak.
It is a book of such choice kind,
'Tis worth all other books combin'd.
Though vested now in simplest dress,
'Tis comelier for its simpleness.
No wasteful margins here engage
To rival width of printed page;
No gilded edge the front displays,
No tinted band the back arrays,
No costly binding strives to be
A cumbrous superfluity:
90
That Inspiration's stamp it bears,
And as more read, will more disclose
Its value with its using grows.
Then use it, friend, till you outwear it,
And I most gladly will repair it.
| Nugae Modernae | |