BY A BIBLIOMANIAC

A VOLUME’ S just received on vellum print.

The book is worth the vellum — no more in’ t.

But, as I search my head for thoughts, I find

One fact embedded firmly in my mind.

That’ s this, in short: while it no doubt may be

Most pleasant for an author small to see

A fine edition of his work put out,

No man who’ s sane can ever really doubt

That products of his brain and pen can live

Alone for that which they may haply give!

And though on vellum stiff the work appears,

It cannot live throughout the after-years,

Unless it has within its leaves some hint

Of something further than the style of print

And paper — give me Omar on mere waste,

I’ ll choose it rather than some “bookish taste,”

Expended on a flimsy, whimsey tale,

Put out to catch a whimsey, flimsy sale.

I’ d choose my Omar print on grocer’ s wraps

Before the vellum books of “bookish” chaps.