Poems (Freston)/A Reply
A REPLY
TO A LETTER SAYING "NOW IS THE TIME
SAYS SHAKESPEARE AND HOLY WRIT"
SAYS SHAKESPEARE AND HOLY WRIT"
"Now is the time," says Avon's bard,
In reference to loving,
And claims the present as the hour
For all love's pleasures proving.
In reference to loving,
And claims the present as the hour
For all love's pleasures proving.
But to my more prosaic mind,
The sentiment seems stupid,
As though one could arrange a plan,
Or make a date for Cupid.
The sentiment seems stupid,
As though one could arrange a plan,
Or make a date for Cupid.
He scatters sunbeams o'er the world,
That enter hearts at random;
Can we with Reason harness him,
And drive them a la tandem?
That enter hearts at random;
Can we with Reason harness him,
And drive them a la tandem?
No, we should greet him when he comes,
As lord of all the nations,
But if he tarry, surely we,
Can wait his will with patience.
As lord of all the nations,
But if he tarry, surely we,
Can wait his will with patience.
"Now is the time says 'Holy Writ,'"
Is it to love by thy brethren?
I do forget,—or to renounce
The world, flesh and—the other?
Is it to love by thy brethren?
I do forget,—or to renounce
The world, flesh and—the other?
Yes, I forget! of Holy Writ,
I never was a student,
Although to frankly own the fact
Perhaps is quite imprudent.
I never was a student,
Although to frankly own the fact
Perhaps is quite imprudent.
The bell has rung,
Adieu my friend,
The bill-of-fare awaits me;
I find alas! 'tis but a step
From poesy to pastry.
Adieu my friend,
The bill-of-fare awaits me;
I find alas! 'tis but a step
From poesy to pastry.