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