48

MOME RATHS²²

The early bird catches the worm; and the twelve-year-old prostitute attracts the ambassador.

Neglect not the dawn-meditation!

The first plovers' eggs fetch the highest prices; the flower of virginity is esteemed by the pandar.

Neglect not the dawn-meditation!

Early to bed and early to rise
Makes a man healthy and wealthy and wise:
But late to watch and early to pray
Brings him across The Abyss, they say.

Neglect not the dawn-meditation!

COMMENTARY (ΜΗ)

This chapter is perfectly simple, and needs no comment whatsoever.

NOTE

(22) "The môme raths outgrabe" -- Lewis Carroll.

But "môme" is Parisian slang for a young girl, and "rathe" O.E. for early. "The rathe primrose" -- Milton.