Henry Austin Dobson

The Passionate Printer to His Love

Come live with me and be my Dear;
And till that happy bond shall lapse,
I'll set your Poutings in Brevier,
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 'Printer's 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.)
Amandus Typographicus