Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-12
THE GOWNSMAN
More Fork Creek EpItaphs

THE gratifying reception which the
4 lucubrations of the epitaphist Of
Fork Creek has received at the hands
OF discerning readers has caused him
modestly to persevere in his efforts to
read two or three more Of the inscrip-
tions ornamenting the sarcophaguses
contained In his extensive cemetery.
Has the reader ever noticed. by the
by. that all books especially books of
verse. receive "a gratifying reception
on publication? Thoreau used to point
with pride to his fine library. in uni
form binding, of 403 volumes. They
were "thc remainder" of an edition of
nOO copies. perhaps Of Walden.
tThe cultivation of studied inaccu-
racy seems one Of the essentials to the
outfit of the "colyumist.") At any
rate Emerson had had copy. and
Hawthorne and Channing-was It? So
that left four. two still in the hands
OF reviewers, who were as yet silent
about II, and two for the bookseller. so
that II he should happen to sell one
copy at any time, he would still have
Walden in stock. And yet Thorcnu
was pleased with 'the gratifying re-
ception,, Of Walden" Are authors.
seem to like being attacked even better
'hdh DtluR PUlORlZeU, HUu. luuttu'
most of us are safer. critically speak
ing. in the hands of our enemies than
in those of our friends. Friendship
will survive separation. lapse of years,
cstrangcment. but not the premcditated
effusion of poetry" Free verse even
has sown the seeds of feuds among the
literati which may last for generations.
Happily the cpitaphs of the gratiticd
cpitapher of Fork Creek though often
free in subject matter, are de rigueur
as to metrical niceties.. His spondces
stalk and his tribrachs trip; and he
modestly believes that there is not
poetry enough on all his tombstoncs to
estrange single reader.
A POETLING is "a wee bit covering
"a bcastie." the diminutive of n poet.
who. il the critics are to be trusted.
ought to be life size and much in the
likeness of man. A poetaster is a
great. lubberly, hulking fellow-or fell
lowess--who paws verse. in the process
destroying the fabric. Wherefore this
Epitaph on d Poetaster:
The sorry remains of a poor poetoster
Lie here inferred; 't,oas a painful dis
dster.
Free verse he tried one day in trolio
And died in futter dithyrambic,
bucolic.
Yet. il is said, he deserved this bad
ending;
For he and his verses wcre both past
amending.
Thus ye may see there arc limits to
freedom:
Meter and rhyfhm and rhyming, we
need 'um.
IF THE reader knows the safe man
l. who is not the same with the safe
breaker-he will appreciate the follow
ing on Fabius Cunctator Brown. who |
halls from Ohio. which is now a safe |
state for the presidency. whatever else |
may be said on this topic. The un-
learned may seek the reason for the |
cognomen of Brown in Mr.. Shaw's
membership in the Fabian Society.
Hic jacet +. Cunctator Brorr.
Who said. of foolish things.
Far ferer than has mdnp man
Who loves the point that stinos.
Brorn turned no ddmscrs hcad-not
Perchance il might not turn;
he nercr set the sea on fire
He kncm it ,couldn't burn:
He ncrcr rtought-"torsooth.' said he.
lyon man might knock me do,rn;;"
He seldom Spokc-nnd so, you see,
Lost little in rcnorn.
THE following lines are dedicated to
L the memory of Peter Cuff. states
man and senator. n lineal descendant
Of Mistress Tabitha Talkapace and the
Honorable Thomas Talltalk Gabbler,
Esquire. of Nolubility Hall in the coun-
ty Of MumblrseX.
Weep Here, deep,
4 silent hcap,
Lies Cuff. stilied nor his clntter;
Apc. hcdrc sigh
His fnlk wdS dry,
Long and Of no great matter.