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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO MAURICE HEWLETT by ARTHUR THOMAS QUILLER-COUCH

Poet Analysis

First Line: HEWLETT! AS SHIP TO SHIP
Last Line: THE WHICH TO MITIGATE ARE LENT THE VINE, THE MUSE.
Subject(s): HEWLETT, MAURICE H. (1861-1923); TRADE;

HEWLETT! as ship to ship
Let us the ensign dip!
There may be who despise
For dross our merchandise,
Our balladries, our bales
Of woven tales;
Yet, Hewlett, the glad gales
Favonian! And what spray
Our dolphins toss'd in play,
Full in old Triton's beard, on Iris' shimmering veils!

Scant tho' the freight of gold
Commercial in our hold,
Pæstum, Eridanus
Perchance have barter'd us
'Bove chrematistic care
Some precious, rare,
Unmarketable ware;
Or amber to bedeck
A Grace's naked neck,
Or transient rose, yet meet to braid Apollo's hair.

Boon further wouldst thou beg
Of Jove? Then I've a keg
Of Coan in the waist.
Come, row aboard, and taste
The glorifying juice
That wise men use
And only fools refuse!
'Twill teach thee tolerate
All rubs of human fate,
The which to mitigate are lent the Vine, the Muse.



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