EPITAPH ON THE PROOFREADER OF

Majestic tomes, you are the tomb

Of Aristides Edward Bloom,

Who labored, from the world aloof,

In reading every page of proof.

From A to And, from Aus to Bis

Enthusiasm still was his;

From Cal to Cha, from Cha to Con

His soft-lead pencil still went on.

But reaching volume Fra to Gib,

He knew at length that he was sib

To Satan; and he sold his soul

To reach the section Pay to Pol.

Then Pol to Ree, and Shu to Sub

He staggered on, and sought a pub.

And just completing Vet to Zym,

The motor hearse came round for him.

He perished, obstinately brave:

They laid the Index on his grave.