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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


IN A COPY OF 'FOUR FORSYTE STORIES' by JOHN GALSWORTHY

First Line: AN AUTHOR WHO HAS WHAT IS CALLED A VOGUE
Last Line: "THE MORE HIS PINNACLE IN AIR HE'LL SEE!"
Subject(s): BOOKS; READING;

SOLD ON BEHALF OF A HOUSING SCHEME

STROPHE:
"An author who has what is called a vogue --
That can, like mushrooms, spring up overnight --
A thing of air, and apt to vanish quite --
Runs every risk that he may seem a rogue
When signed editions he goes marketing,
Priced at as many guineas as he dare,
And, trusting to the Public's want of flair,
Makes major money from a minor thing."

ANTISTROPHE:
"But, carping Sir, your author is a bird
Who, like as not, believes that he will sing
And soar, until the booklet signed, will bring
A price that makes its present price absurd.
A very peacock-fantail-phoenix, he;
The more you warn him of his coming fall
Or tell him that he's nothing worth at all,
The more his pinnacle in air he'll see!"



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