Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867. I. Special Pleading By Thomas James Judkin
(Craving the Critic’s Notice)
ENTLE, 1 it is my wont, when newly writ A sonnet, madrigal, or ode, to show The same to Emily, that I may know By her sweet face (taste’s dial) if in it Be aught unworthy of a poet’s fit; 5 And with the knittings of her altered brow, Or with the playful smiles that come and go, I hold no parle, but instantly commit, Or not, such brain-work to the flames. Thus, Sir, I now beseech, in Courtesy’s good name, 10 Where there is need thou wilt but gently blame, Seeing that half the fault belongs to her; Yet speak thy best praise freely when ’t is due, Since one kind word for her, to me is two.
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