Get out the microscope, because we’re going through this poem line-by-line.
You understand me: I'm a beast, I know.
But see, now—why, I see as certainly
As that the morning-star's about to shine,
What will hap some day. We've a youngster here
Comes to our convent, studies what I do,
Slouches and stares and lets no atom drop:
His name is Guidi—he'll not mind the monks—They call him Hulking Tom, he lets them talk—
He picks my practice up—he'll paint apace.
I hope so—though I never live so long,
I know what's sure to follow. You be judge!
- Bro Lippo doesn't seem to have a very high opinion of himself, does he? He calls himself a "beast." But wait—this is a way for him to make a temporary alliance with the guard by pointing out that they have common ground.
- There's a kid, Lippo tells the guard, now at the monastery who is also studying painting. His name is Guidi, a.k.a. "Hulking Tom." This kid must be pretty big, if he's hulk-like. Let's just hope he doesn't have an anger problem, or if he does that his robes are expandable.
- Anyway, this Guidi is quickly picking up Lippo's mad painting skills. And Lippo knows what's going to happen, the guardsman will eventually see.
- This probably just means that Lippo expects Hulking Tom to get into the same hot water.