EPILOGUE.
229
While juniors tossed off their thimbleful!
Our Shakespeare and Milton escaped your fault,
So they reign supreme o'er the weaker race
That wants the ancient grace!"
Our Shakespeare and Milton escaped your fault,
So they reign supreme o'er the weaker race
That wants the ancient grace!"
10.
If I paid myself with words
(As the French say well) I were dupe indeed!
I were found in belief that you quaffed and bowsed
At your Shakespeare the whole day long, caroused
In your Milton pottle-deep nor drowsed
A moment of night—toped on, took heed
Of nothing like modern cream-and-curds.
Pay me with deeds, not words!
If I paid myself with words
(As the French say well) I were dupe indeed!
I were found in belief that you quaffed and bowsed
At your Shakespeare the whole day long, caroused
In your Milton pottle-deep nor drowsed
A moment of night—toped on, took heed
Of nothing like modern cream-and-curds.
Pay me with deeds, not words!
