A Censor

Day in, day out upon his classic quest;

He haunts the book stores one by one to scan
Page after page assiduously, lest
Some doubtful volume should escape his ban.
He thumbs the classics over, fondly lingers
On Richardson and Sterne and Rabelais
And turns their pages with excited fingers
He'd censor Scripture if he had his way.
A few books he takes home for late inspection
Long after dark when good folk are in bed.
A dozen moderns of his own selection
Contribute thrills by which his mind is fed.
On his chaste brow, then, let us twine the laurels
Due him for elevating public morals!

SYDNEY KING RUSSELL.