These book-men, when they catalogue their books,

Call them in truth édition de luxe.

That’s all they have, most of ’em, just plain shape,

With less pure wine than any unripe grape.

But tomes that travel on their “looks” indeed

Are only good for those who do not read;

And, like most people clad in garments grand,

Seem rather heavy for the average hand.

 

WISE AND OTHERWISE

 

NAPOLINI’S ERROR

Pietro Napolini di Vendetta Pasquarelle

Pietro Napolini di Vendetta Pasquarelle

Deserted balmy Italy, the land that loved him well,

And sailed for soft America, of wealth the very fount,

To earn sufficient dollars there to make himself a count.

Alas for poor Pietro! he arrived in winter-time,

And marvelled at the poet who observed in tripping rhyme

How this New World was genial, and a sunny sort of clime.

 Prev. P 24/63 next