Old Books Are Best
(To J. H. P.)
Old books are best! With what delight
Does “Faithorne fecit” greet our sight;
On frontispiece or title-page
Of that old time, when on the stage
“Sweet Nell” set “Rowley’s” heart alight!
And you, O friend, to whom I write,
Must not deny, e’en though you might,
Through fear of modern pirates’ rage,
Old books are best.
What though the print be not so bright,
The paper dark, the binding slight?
Our author, be he dull or sage,
Returning from that distant age
So lives again, we say of right:
Old books are best.
Beverly Chew.