<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">To—</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">AT first I almost thought that your fine gift.</p><p class="line">Your noble genius for depreciation,</p><p class="line">Had given a happy and a timely lift</p><p class="line">To poor old Shakespeare's tottering reputa-</p><p class="line">tion.</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">But much I doubt, reading once more his page,</p><p class="line">Whether such proud advertisement it</p><p class="line">needed!</p><p class="line">No,—'twill be sweet when you have reached a</p><p class="line">stage</p><p class="line">By ripeness oft preceded.</p></div></body></html> · Great War