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Eugene Field - The Bibliomaniac`s Prayer
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Keep me, I pray, in wisdom`s way
  That I may truths eternal seek;
I need protecting care to-day, --
  My purse is light, my flesh is weak.
So banish from my erring heart
  All baleful appetites and hints
Of Satan`s fascinating art,
  Of first editions, and of prints.
Direct me in some goodly walk
  Which leads away from bookish strife,
That I with pious deed and talk
  May extra-illustrate my life.

But if, O Lord, it pleaseth Thee
  To keep me in temptation`s way,
I humbly ask that I may be
  Most notably beset to-day;
Let my temptation be a book,
  Which I shall purchase, hold, and keep,
Whereon when other men shall look,
  They`ll wail to know I got it cheap.
Oh, let it such a volume be
  As in rare copperplate abounds,
Large paper, clean, and fair to see,
  Uncut, unique, unknown to Lowndes.
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