How very close to truth these bookish men
Can be when in their catalogues they pen
The words descriptive of the wares they hold
To tempt the book-man with his purse of gold!
For instance, they have Dryden—splendid set—
Which some poor wight would part with wealth to get.
’Tis richly bound, its edges gilded—but—
Hard fate—as Dryden well deserves—uncut!
For who these days would think to buy the screed
Of dull old dusty Dryden just to read?