Verses on Various Occasions · Chapter
Opusculum explained
A brief, playful poem written for a small album, addressing a fair cousin with whimsical comparisons and a promise of affectionate secrecy.
What happens
A brief, playful poem written for a small album, addressing a fair cousin with whimsical comparisons and a promise of affectionate secrecy.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The speaker, a self-described sage, addresses his cousin in a lighthearted tone.
Key passages
“Fair Cousin, thy page is small to encage the thoughts which engage the mind of a sage, such as I am;”
Dear cousin, your album page is too small to contain the grand thoughts of a wise person like me.
The speaker humorously exaggerates his own wisdom to contrast with the limited space.
“So I promise to be a good Cousin to thee, and to keep safe the secret I heard, although ev'ry one know it;”
I promise to be a faithful cousin and guard the secret you told me, even though it's already common knowledge.
A playful vow of confidentiality that undercuts itself with the admission that the secret is not really secret.