Of quaint antiquity, precise and neat,
Recall his quiet walks in Selborne wood—
Has paused with curious, meditative eye,
Before an owl upon my mantle shelf,
And rapidly, in shadowy script, records
The sapient bird’s presentment.
Near at hand,
A man of kindly countenance and mild,
Impressed with lines of pure and noble thought,
Bends low in prayer; ere long resumes his pen,