The Passionate Printer To His Love

(Whose name is Amanda.)

With Apologies to the Shade of Christopher Marlowe.

Come live with me and be my Dear; And till that happy bond shall lapse, I'll set your Poutings in Brevier,[l8] Your Praises in the largest CAPS.

There's Diamond--'tis for your Eyes; There's Ruby--that will match your Lips; Pearl, for your Teeth; and Minion-size. To suit your dainty Finger-tips.

In Nonpareil I'll put your Face; In Rubric shall your Blushes rise; There is no Bourgeois in your Case; Your Form can never need "Revise."

Your Cheek seems "Ready for the Press"; Your Laugh as Clarendon is clear; There's more distinction in your Dress Than in the oldest Elzevir.

So with me live, and with me die; And may no "FINIS" e'er intrude To break into mere "Printers' Pie" The Type of our Beatitude!

(ERRATUM.--If my suit you flout, And choose some happier Youth to wed, 'Tis but to cross AMANDA out, And read another name instead.)

Note:

"Pronounced Bre-veer" (Printers' Vocabulary).