Part 4 — EPIGRAMS BY JOHN G. SAXE.
Reading edition
ON A RECENT CLASSIC CONTROVERSY.
Nay, marvel not to see these scholars fight, In brave disdain of certain scath and scar; 'Tis but the genuine, old, Hellenic spite,— "When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war!"
ANOTHER.
Quoth David to Daniel—"Why is it these scholars Abuse one another whenever they speak?" Quoth Daniel to David—"it nat'rally follers Folks come to hard words if they meddle with Greek!"
ON AN ILL-READ LAWYER.
An idle attorney besought a brother For "something to read—some novel or other, That was really fresh and new." "Take Chitty!" replied his legal friend, "There isn't a book that I could lend Would prove more 'novel' to you!"
ON AN UGLY PERSON SITTING FOR A DAGUERREOTYPE
Here Nature in her glass—the wanton elf— Sits gravely making faces at herself; And while she scans each clumsy feature o'er, Repeats the blunders that she made before!
WOMAN'S WILL.
Men dying make their wills—but wives Escape a work so sad; Why should they make what all their lives The gentle dames have had?
FAMILY QUARRELS.
"A fool," said Jeanette, "is a creature I hate!" "But hating," quoth John, "is immoral; Besides, my dear girl, it's a terrible fate To be found in a family quarrel!"