R551124C. The Keepsake (1856).
The Examiner, 24 November 1855, p. 742.
As reprinted in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 22, 298.
Our old friend the Keepsake preserves a beauty and interest little dimmed by years. The engravings are better than usual, we think, and Miss Power’s staunch little band of contributors continue true and loyal to her. She has herself a story of “Percy Leigh’s Wooing” very nicely told, and grouped round this are several short tales, or sketches of society, of considerable interest and merit. Mr. Albert Smith, jealous of too exclusive honours paid to Belgravia, contributes a sketch of Bedfordia; and in the unpublished chapter from O’Shilloo Blake of the Slashers, we suppose that the whim and spirit of Mr Lever will be generally recognised. Some of the poetical pieces, however, have as usual the highest merit. Among the authors who contribute to this department are Mr Chorley, the younger Dumas (who sings in his native tongue, of course), the author of ‘Festus,’ and the two genuine poets whose pieces we shall enrich this page by transferring to it.
[This review continues with a poem by Bryan Waller Procter (“Barry Cornwall”), which we omit.]
——
BEN KARSHOOK’S WISDOM.
by robert browning.
i.
“Would a man ’scape the rod?”
Rabbi Ben Karshook saith,
“See that he turn to God
The day before his death.”
“Ay, could a man inquire
When it shall come!” I say.
The Rabbi’s eye shoots fire—
“Then let him turn to day!”
ii.
Quoth a young Sadducee:
“Reader of many rolls,
Is it so certain we
Have, as they tell us, souls?”
“Son, there is no reply!”
The Rabbi bit his beard:
“Certain a soul have I—
We may have none,” he sneered.
——
Thus Karshook, the Hiram’s-Hammer,
The Right-hand Temple-column,
Taught babes in grace their grammar,
And struck the simple, solemn.
Rome, April 27, 1854.
[John Forster]
Reviewed:
The Keepsake (1856), ed. Margaret Power, London: 1856.
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