The Rowfant Books

by Andrew Lang

BALLADE EN GUISE DE RONDEAU

  The Rowfant books, how fair they shew,
The Quarto quaint, the Aldine tall,
Print, autograph, portfolio!
Back from the outer air they call,
The athletes from the Tennis ball,
This Rhymer from his rod and hooks,
Would I could sing them one and all,
The Rowfant books! 

The Rowfant books!  In sun and snow
They’re dear, but most when tempests fall;
The folio towers above the row
As once, o’er minor prophets,--Saul!
What jolly jest books and what small
“Dear dumpy Twelves” to fill the nooks.
You do not find on every stall
The Rowfant books!

The Rowfant books!  These long ago
Were chained within some College hall;
These manuscripts retain the glow
Of many a coloured capital
While yet the Satires keep their gall,
While the Pastissier puzzles cooks,
Theirs is a joy that does not pall,
The Rowfant books!

ENVOI.

The Rowfant books,--ah magical
As famed Armida’s “golden looks,”
They hold the rhymer for their thrall,
The Rowfant books.

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