TO “THE QUARTERLY”
Reading edition
With THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON
Greeting, old friend! a merry Christmas time To you, who nothing merry ever see;— Great Murderer of poets in their prime,— Why have you struck at me? With vengeful hooks of sharpened critic-steel You tortured giants in the days gone by,— And now upon your creaking, rusty wheel, You’d break a Butterfly! Alas! you’re far too cumbrous for such things! Your heavy, clanking axle drags i’ the chase;— The happy Insect has the use of wings, And keeps its Sunshine-place!
