A LITERARY CURIOSITY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3050, 12 August 1886, Page 3

A LITERARY CURIOSITY.

The following remarkable little poem is a contribution to the San Francisco Times, from the pen of Mr H. A. Deding. The reader will see that each line is a quotation from some one of the standard authors of England and America. This is the rpsult of years of laborious search among the voluminous writings of 38 leading poets of the past and present. The number of each line refers to its author below : 1. Why all this toil for triumphs of an hour ? 2. Life 's a short summer, man 's a flower. 3. By turns we watch the vital breath and die : 4. The cradle and the tomb, alas !• so nigh. 5. To be is better far than not to be. 6. Though all men's lives may seem a tragedy; 7. But light cares speak when mighty griefs are dumb; 8. The bottom is but shallow whence they come. 9. Your fate is but the common fate of all; 10. Unmingled joys here no man can befall. 11. Nature to each allots its sphere. 12. Fortune makes folly her particular care. 13. Custom does after reason overrule. 14. And throws a cruel sunshine on a fool. 15. Live well; how long are short; permit to heaven ; 10. They who forgive most shall be most forgiven. 17. Sin may be clasped so close we cannot see its face—--18. Vile intercourse where virtue has no place. 19. Then keep each passion down, however dear, 20. Thou pendulum betwixt a smile and tear; 21. Her sensual snares let faithless pleasure lay, 22. With craft and skill to ruin and betray. 23. Soar not too high to fall, but stoop to rise. 24. We masters grow of all that we despise; 25. Oh, then, renounce that impious selfesteem ; 26. Riches have wings and grandeur is a dream. 27. Think not ambition wise because 'tis brave. 28. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. 29. What is ambition? 'Tis a glorious cheat—--30. Only destructive to the brave and great. 31. What's all the gaudy glitter of a crown ? 32. The way of bliss lies not on beds of down. 33. How long we live not years but actions tell. 34. That man lives twice who lives the first life well. 35. Make then, while yet you may, your God your friend. 3G. Whom Christians worship, yet not comprehend. 37. The trust that's given guard, and to yourself be just. 38. For live we how we can, yet die we must.