The Bibliomaniac's Prayer by Eugene Field
The poem is a humorous and satirical take on the bibliophile's obsession with collecting books. It describes the speaker's desire to possess every book, regardless of content or quality, solely for the sake of owning them. The poem pokes fun at the idea that having a large collection of books is equivalent to being educated or cultured.
By Eugene Field · First published 1892 · Genre: Poetry, Humor, Literary · 245 words
First lines
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 godly walk / Which leads away from bookish strife, / That I with pious deed and talk / May extra-illustrate my life.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse form, employing rhyme and meter typical of poetry.
- Humor — The poem uses wit and irony to address the obsession with books and collecting.
- Literary — The themes revolve around literature, bibliomania, and the appreciation of books.
- Religious — The poem includes a prayerful tone, invoking divine guidance and reflecting on moral values.
Tags
Humor · Satire · Literary Criticism · Book Collecting · Bibliophilia · Irony · Wit · Poetry · Victorian Era · Rare Books · Antiquarianism · Collectors
What this Textopian page supports
The Bibliomaniac's Prayer is listed on Textopian as a poem by Eugene Field, dated 1892 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Eugene Field
- Date: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Humor, Literary, Religious, Satire
- Length: 245 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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