Hic, Hæc, Hoc

When the two Roman brothers were young

And at even’ were wont to recline

At a supper of nightingale tongue,

Washed down by Falernian wine,

Either one would have probably laughed himself sick

At the idea that “Hoc” ever came before “Hic.”

Complimentary

Frederika Bremer’s only attempt at poetry in English was written at Niagara, September 11, 1850. The Swedish novelist was there with James Russell Lowell and his wife. It was presented to Mr. Lowell with a gold pen. Here it is:

A gold pen is a little thing,