Analysis of The Bibliomaniac's Bride

The women-folk are like to books,--
 Most pleasing to the eye,
Whereon if anybody looks
 He feels disposed to buy.

I hear that many are for sale,--
 Those that record no dates,
And such editions as regale
 The view with colored plates.

Of every quality and grade
 And size they may be found,--
Quite often beautifully made,
 As often poorly bound.

Now, as for me, had I my choice,
 I'd choose no folio tall,
But some octavo to rejoice
 My sight and heart withal,--

As plump and pudgy as a snipe;
 Well worth her weight in gold;
Of honest, clean, conspicuous type,
 And just the size to hold!

With such a volume for my wife
 How should I keep and con!
How like a dream should run my life
 Unto its colophon!

Her frontispiece should be more fair
 Than any colored plate;
Blooming with health, she would not care
 To extra-illustrate.

And in her pages there should be
 A wealth of prose and verse,
With now and then a jeu d'esprit,--
 But nothing ever worse!

Prose for me when I wished for prose,
 Verse when to verse inclined,--
Forever bringing sweet repose
 To body, heart, and mind.

Oh, I should bind this priceless prize
 In bindings full and fine,
And keep her where no human eyes
 Should see her charms, but mine!

With such a fair unique as this
 What happiness abounds!
Who--who could paint my rapturous bliss,
 My joy unknown to Lowndes!