A Half Year's Poems of James Henry (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ... THE BIRTHDAY ODE. The earl will have a birthday ode; ts to the Muses' mean abode: --"Master, I need some dozen rhymes; Must have them ere the vesper chimes; Before a goodly company Rehearsed tomorrow they shall be." "Impossible, my noble Lord; Too poor this dwelling to afford Materials, ere the vesper chimes, For half of half a dozen rhymes." "It must be done," the earl replied; "Tomorrow my new-wedded bride Her birthday celebrates; there 's the gold;" And ten broad pieces down he told. The poet scrupulous shook his head, And smiled and to the earl thus said: --"The gold 's all right, but there 's no time; 'Tis but two hours to vesper chime, And far off lies the town away; The road is bad and rough the day." "And what has weather, town, or road To do with birthday or with ode?" "To weave a web you must have thread; To cast a bullet one needs lead; You can't make butter without milk; It 's out of mulberry leaves comes silk; Without long grass you can't make hay, Nor china without potter's clay; And poetry's extatic thought Was never into being brought Out of an empty, hopeless nought." "Say out your meaning short and clear; Not to read riddles come I here; And see on yonder castle wall Where frowning stands the gibbet tall." Trembling and falling on his knee, "My noble Lord, you 'll pardon me"--Thus to the earl then answered he; "The elements of poetry Lie in yon castle's buttery." The earl laughed loud and heartily, And raised the poet from his knee; Away they 're to the castle gone; The evening table 's spread anon; Black wurst, brown venison, red tokay; Tomorrow 's the bride's Naming day; The cellar, buttery, and hall, Oerflowing with provisions, all: --"Health to the bride--that 's fine tokay;" The poet thus began to say, As through his...