TOTHEBOOK

tothebook

littlecasket!storehouserare

ofrichconceits,topleasethefair!

happiestheofmortalmen,—

(icrownhimmonarchofthepen,)—

towhomsophiadeignstogive

theflatteringprerogative

toinscribehisnameinchief,

onthyfirstandmaidenleaf.

whenthypagesshallbefull

ofwhatbrighterwitscancull

ofthetenderorromantic,

creepingproseorversegigantic,—

whichthyspacessoshallcram

thatthebee-likeepigram

(whichatwo-foldtributebrings,

honeygivesatonce,andstings,)

hathnotroomleftwherewithal

toinfixitstinyscrawl;

haplysomemoreyouthfulswain,

strivingtodescribehispain,

andthedamsel'seartoseize

withmoreexpressivelaysthanthese,

whenhefindshisownexcluded

andthesecounterfeitsintruded;

while,loiteringinthemuse'sbower,

heoverstayedtheeleventhhour,

tillthetablesfilled—shallfret,

die,orsickenwithregret

orintoashadowpine:

whilethistriumphantverseofmine,

liketosomefavouredstranger-guest,

biddentoagoodman'sfeast

shallsit—bymeritlessthanfate—

intheupperseatinstate.