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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AN ENTRY FOR EDMUND GOSSE'S LIBRARY CATALOGUE by JOHN DRINKWATER

Poet Analysis

First Line: UNCUT. THE RARE FIRST ISSUE.' LET
Last Line: WE SHALL NOT FIND THE VERSO BLANK.
Subject(s): GOSSE, SIR EDMUND (1849-1928);

'UNCUT. The Rare First Issue.' Let
Who will deride our tremulous
Fond joy when on our sheet we set
The latest of our honours thus.

We do not argue. But we know
Not vain the charms nor fugitive
That freshly from the numbers flow
When on their primal page they live.

Here is the gentle chronicle
Of all such virtues in your mind;
Yet here, for all we know it well,
One little book they shall not find.

It is of old affection writ,
Of courtesy that counted not
The severing years; the theme of it
Has never known design or plot.

'Mint copy. Perfect.' And when age --
(So the Great Printer shall I thank) --
From 'Finis' turns the final page,
We shall not find the verso blank.



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