One more thing I may note that made the day

Pass well—one custom, not a little healing,

Which was, to look above him, as he lay.

And count the spots and blotches in the ceiling;

Noting what shapes they took to, and which way,

And where the plaster threatened to be peeling;

Whether the spot looked new, or old, or what—

Or whether ’twas, in fact, a spot or not.

—From Roland Enamored.

Francho Sacchetti, poet and novelist, wrote many stories and verses in lighter vein.