"So Plato is." "Then read him- do; And I'll read mine in answer." I read. "My Plato (Plato, too, That wisdom thus should harden!) Declares 'blue eyes look doubly blue Beneath a Dolly Varden.'" 66 She smiled. My book in turn avers "But hear, the next's in stronger style: The Cynic School asserted That two red lips which part and smile - She smiled once more "My book, I find, Would make the Cynics out a kind Then I Why not? 'Ephesian law, No less than time's tradition, Enjoined fair speech on all who saw She blushed-this time. "If Plato's page Then I'd renounce that doubtful sage, And walk to Burnham-beeches." 'Agreed," I said. "For Socrates (I find he too is talking) Thinks Learning can't remain at ease She read no more. I leapt the sill: Nay, more than this, I hold it still Austin Dobson THE LEARNED NEGRO There was a negro preacher, I have heard, He could not read or write, but he was wise, One Sunday morn, when hymns and prayers were said, The preacher rose, and rubbing up his head, On which God fashioned Adam, de fust man. He shape him all out right, den by and by, He set him up agin de fence to dry." 'Stop," said a voice; and straightway there arose An ancient negro in his master's clothes. "Tell me," said he, "before you farder go, Our whole theology will be upsot." Anonymous |