BURLESQUE SONNET

TO ÆNEAS WILLIAM MACKINTOSH
Thee, Mackintosh, artificer of light, Thee, the lone smoker hails! the student, thee; Thee, oft upon the ungovernable sea, The seaman, conscious of approaching night; Thou, with industrious fingers, hast outright Mastered that art, of other arts the key, That bids thick night before the morning flee, And lingering day retains for mortal sight. O Promethean workman, thee I hail, Thee hallowed, thee unparalleled, thee bold To affront the reign of sleep and darkness old, Thee William, thee Æneas, thee I sing; Thee by the glimmering taper clear and pale, Of light, and light’s purveyance, hail, the king.
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