POETRY EVERYWHERE

WHAT time the poet hath hymned
The writhing maid, lithe-limbed,

Quivering on amaranthine asphodel,

How can he paint her woes,

Knowing, as well he knows,

That all can be set right with calomel?

When from the poet's plinth

The amorous colocynth

Yearns for the aloe, faint with rapturous thrills,

How can he hymn their throes

Knowing, as well he knows,

That they are only uncompounded pills?

Is it, and can it be,

Nature hath this decree,

Nothing poetic in the world shall dwell?

Or that in all her works

Something poetic lurks,

Even in colocynth and calomel?

Twelvemonth, maybe,
Saw a baby

(Friends performed an orgie). Much they prized him,

And baptized him By the name of GEORGIE.

GEORGIE grew up;
Then he flew up

To his fairy mother.
Happy meeting
Pleasant greeting-
Kissing one another.
"Choose a calling
Most enthralling,

I sincerely urge ye."
"Mother," said he

(Rev'rence made he), "I would join the clergy.

"Give permission

In additionPa will let me do it: There's a living

In his giving,

He'll appoint me to it.
Dreams of coff'ring

Easter off'ring,

Tithe and rent and pew-rate,

So inflame me

(Do not blame me),

That I'll be a curate."

She, with pleasure, Said, "My treasure, 'Tis my wish precisely.

GEORGIE Scudded, Went and studied, Made all preparations, And with credit

(Though he said it)

Passed examinations.
(Do not quarrel
With him, moral,
Scrupulous digestions-
But his mother,

And no other,
Answered all the questions.)

Time proceeded;
Little needed
GEORGIE admonition :
He, elated,
Vindicated
Clergyman's position.

People round him
Always found him

Plain and unpretending;
Kindly teaching,

Plainly preaching—

All his money lending.

So the fairy,
Wise and wary,

Felt no sorrow rising

No occasion

For persuasion,

Warning, or advising.

He, resuming

Fairy pluming

(That's not English, is it?)

2 G