A precious-mouldering pleasure-'tis- To meet an Antique Book- In just the Dress his Century wore- A privilege-I think- His venerable Hand to take- And warming in our own- A passage back-or two-to make- To Times when he-was young- His quaint opinions-to inspect- His thought to ascertain On Themes concern our mutual mind- The Literature of Man- What interested Scholars-most- What Competitions ran- When Plato-was a Certainty- And Sophocles-a Man- When Sappho-was a living Girl- And Beatrice wore The Gown that Dante-deified- Facts Centuries before He traverses-familiar- As One should come to Town- And tell you all your Dreams-were true- He lived-where Dreams were born- His presence is Enchantment- You beg him not to go- Old Volume shake their Vellum Heads And tantalize-just so