BETA

Sonnet

On the Nonpareil .

“ None but himself can be his parallel ! ”
With marble-coloured shoulders—and keen
eyes,1
Protected by a forehead broad and white—2
And hair cut close lest it impede the sight,3
And clenched hands, firm, and of punishing
size—4
Steadily held, or motion’d wary-wise,5
To hit or stop—and kerchief too drawn tight6
O’er the unyielding loins, to keep from
flight7
The inconstant wind, that all too often
flies—8
The Nonpareil stands ! —Fame, whose bright
eyes run o’er9
With joy to see a Chicken of her own10
Dips her rich pen in claret, and writes down11
Under the letter R, first on the score,12
“ Randall—John—Irish Parents—age not
known—13
“ Good with both hands, and only ten
stone four ! ”14