COVE

My friend Kenneth Teter,

You’re married! What a joy it is to celebrate your nuptials. I am giving you this book so you don’t forget your freedom! Do you remember our days exploring those brothels in New York? Well I chose this edition for you because it was published in New York! The very same city! And just look at these drawings, there are quite appealing women, yes? This artist, Ronald Balfour, is known for his erotic artstyle in this book. Don’t let the new missus see!

I also know how much of a fan you are of Aubrey Beardsley. Balfour’s illustrations were also known as a Beardsleyesque depiction. I also thought the image of grapes on the first pages of the book were a good memory of our time drinking late into the night as bachelors.

Now friend, you might be wondering what the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám even is. Read this beautiful quote I’ve inscribed here:

“COME, fill the Cup, and in the Fire / of Spring / The Winter Garment of Repentance fling: / The Bird of Time has but a little way / To fly –and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.”

Kenneth, fill your cup! Time has so little to fly but you have to spread YOUR wings. 

And take note of this beautiful verse as well:

“AND David’s Lips are lock’t; but in divine / High piping Péhlevi, with ‘Wine! Wine! / Wine! / Red Wine!’ –the Nightingale cries to / the Rose / That yellow Cheek of hers to’incarnadine.” Kenneth it is time to drink wine of celebration! Let red wine overflow!

You may be tied down with marriage, but live life while you have it, my friend.

Your Friend, 

Franklin