In Residence

ODE TO GERALD FESTUS KELLY 83 By the ravenous teeth that have bitten Through the salad of lobster and cheese; By the silliest lines I have written (Though none are as silly as these) ; By remarks I have made that were rude-io! By the epigrams cruel and tart, We beseech thee respond from thy studio, Apostle of Art! On canvas by paints never covered, Nor wet with the washing of turps ; On blocks where thy pen never hovered, Nor pencil that crumbles and chirps. (My fingers with ink are so inky, I want to give vent to a phrase, That would shock even Wee Willie Winkie, Or t’ Owd ’un of Days.*) We shall know what the darkness discovers When bald are the hairs of our head ; For “ love and the pleasures of lovers Are only well known to the dead.” ? We shall know if your heaven is helly, Find out if your liver is heart; And if brains be the whole of thee, Kelly, Apostle of Art! 1 Macroprosopus, the ‘‘ Vast Countenance.” 2 Original epigram, by G. F. K. Copyright in the United States of America.