IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) / O 4i. iA 1.0 I.I If lis ^& ■4^ 111112.0 1.8 11-25 III 1.4 i 1.6 n ^/,. '/ /A ^4^^" ^* ^#.% CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductlons historiques 1980 Technical Notes / Notes techniques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Physical features of this copy which may alter any of the images in the reproduction are checked below. 13 a Coloured covers/ Couv^rtures dj couleur Coloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tacheties ou piqu6es Tight binding (may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin)/ Reliure serrd (peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge i;it6rieure) L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Certains d^fauts susceptibles de nuire A la qualit6 de la reproduction sont not6s ci-dessous. D D Coloured pages/ Pages da couleur Coloured plates/ Planches en couleur 0Show through/ Transparence Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Th< pot of filn Th( coi or api Th( filr ins in I upi bo fol D Additional comments/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires Bibliographic Notes / Notes bibliographiques n Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque D D D Pagination incorrect/ Erreurs de pagination Pages missing/ Des pages manquent IVIaps missing/ Des cartes gdographiques manquent D D Plates missing/ Des planches manquent Additional comments/ Commentaires supplAmentaires The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in iteeping with the filming contract specifications. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 roproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetA de I'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^(meaning CONTINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la der- nidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". The original copy was borrowed from, and filmed with, the l(ind consent of the following institution: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire f ilmd fut reproduit grdce d la g6n6rosit6 de I'dtablissement prdteur suivant : Bibliothdque nationale du Canada Maps or plates too large to be entirely included In one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper lef<. hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul clich6 sont filmdes d partir de Tangle sup6rieure gauche, de gauche d droite et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 !^ mtmM ALBUyvi Verses AND OTHER POEMS. B7 NICHOLAS FLOOD DAVIN. rJIKTED FOE CIBCULATION AMONG FBIENDS. OTTAWA : PniNTKD BY MacLean, Rogeu & Co., Wkllington Sthket. 1882. / ■USWlliii l,'\"f "^BPwpiiWIP t^mmmm 7^3 '^^s 7 t«»— 1S7652 These verses, which the author would not think of publishing on their merits, are selected from some hundreds, and privately printed to gratify those who were the occasion of their composition. ■^l I^Hiyi JULIA. Since first o'er Album verso I lyroaiied, What years have passed mo by ! 'Twas hard to think the girl who owned That foolish book could die. But strange to say that die she did ; No fish escapes death's hook ; And stranger still, her memory slid Quite out of memory's book. And tho' 1 love you very much, And mine is love in sooth, Ne'er credit me, my love is such As will defy Time's tooth. To please thee, I'd resign my breath, Or more— I'd write a rhyme ; But tho' my love is strong as Death, It is not strong as Time. TO MY NEPHEW. The shades of eve the room were filling fast, Alone I saw you ^ peacefully you slept ! No restless sigh spoke sorrows recent past, I thought of Eden, and unconscious, wept. ^2 How calm, how soundless, was that twilight hour ! Fit time for thought! As deepen'd every shade, I sighed to know that man's and Satan's power Against thee, helpless babe ! were ail arrayed. Alas ! ere thou canst walk they'll teach thy steps to stray. When thy young genius buds, ere vain regret Has darkened all the past, should'st read my Muse — My sun may then be sinking or be set — Advice drawn from experience ne'er refuse. "When thou wilt choose life's pathway nobly choose. And then resolve for ever to act well ; Nor in thy wildest, maddest moments lose The voices wise of Heaven, Death and Hell ; Ah ! if thou would'st be blest and great, of Jesus learn. MY SISTER. Bright as love's first sweetest look, Which a life of woe can't dim, Strength'ning as the mountain brook, To the wearied warrior's limb, G-rateful as the sympathy, Of the friend no slander shamed, Winning as simplicity, "When it has been wrongly blamed Ever thus thou wert to me, And such thoul't live in memory. Sweet as sunshine on the sea, Mild as mounboaras on the billow, Joyous as the June birds' glee, Welcome as the thoinless pillow, Dear as Christ to dying ears, When the Christian's race is run, Holy as a mother's tears. Praying near her lifeless son : Ever thus thou v:ert to me, And such thou'lt live in memory. FARUWELL. The word Farewell, for once has a spell To make my heart beat high. And my soul feels a flush of bright joy rush, At that once sad sound, good-bye. Sweet town adieu ! All hail the blue ! And the wild resistless blast ! And each gallant wave, as it makes its grave And swan-like sings its last. I'm in thy power, proud Sea, for an hour. Thou actest like false men, J On the shore when I stood thy waves flowed smooth, Nor threaten'd destruction then. But rago on, Sea thy mood please" me — In sooth thy rage is just, If thouknowestthesin which fattens within The protection which we trust. Then a wilder dash ! and a fatal crash ! The waves will have primal fun ! There'll be wailing grand through all the land, At the deed which thou'lt have done. And maids will lament, till others present Love vows and flatter their pride. And tears will be shed o'er the widow'd bed — Till the place of the lost's supplied. I'll have a swam till every limb Is weary, w^orn, and sore. Then , adieu!— All hail the blue ! And the wild waves tameless roar. Harken to their groans : " There's nothing on his bones ! O Neptune, he was spare! To fiercer fish he has been a dish, And they have picked him bare." I DOUBT. It is evening, it is evening, it is morn, alas ! no more, Gone are the streaks of promise, gone the fresh- ness and the joy ; Morning will dawn to-morrow, but what mor- row will restore ? The boyhood of the christian, the christian of the boy ? I care not fov your evidence, your chains of reasoning steel. If they bind me to the truth they bind me as a slave ; The brightest of your reasonmjfs can never make me feel. And that which passes feeling by, believe me cannot save. Thus was 1 musing sadly, when these words came to my mind : " What matters cloud or storm if the anchor is secure ? " They came as if soft spoken by Him who's like the wind ; And all the shadowy vales were spanned by rainbows bright and pure. I m K I f". I PI' life 8 THE LANDLADY'S DAUGHTER. Other poets meet Their mistress in a garden, "Wat'ring happy flowers, Brest like Dolly Varden ; Mine's a happier fate, Makes every hour so tender, For Jennie cleans the grate And toilets up the fender. 0, my anguish dire, I'm sadder than Lord Lovell, When I see her coax the fire And cuddle the old shovel ; My heart is full of wrongs. Which I never spoke her, I'm jealous of the tongs, I hate that rakish poker. 0, what joys must rest. Where this hand would falter ! Blest rose upon her breast. Thrice blest the beaded halter. I would be that rose, . And tho' dry as rushes, My sap should gather power, My leaves bloom back her blushes ; And eke that beaded chain, Grods ! how each bead would quiver, When love shot through a vein, Like sunlight through a river ! 9 Her mother ruled the house, And acted small and shabby, She made me play the mouse, While she played the old tabby. Never once a tasty dish. But all things one would tire on, She gave me ancient fish And beef steak hard as iron. Once I grew quite red, Th' untouched beef steak brought her, She tost her handsome head : " 'Twas purchased by my daughter." I just touched Jennie's slender Waist, and said : " Enough, But never aught so tender Purc^ ased aught so tough." CALF LOVE. A boy nine summers and a matron twenty, How should sweet love spring up between the two ? Yet of such instances, life offers plenty, Where women smile and boys half puzzled woo. Ah me ! that >3arly passion, how I love it ! An unfledf^ed bird which soars within its nest. I ■miMHi J ■fomi 10 Its boundless firmament, the bough above it, Its burning noon, the mother's glowing breast. Bright early love, men moan but to remember, Thy thrills a^d throbs and tearless sighs, I ken. The sap that will be fruit ere far September, The first pulse of the pang which masters men. A dawn whose promises of day are sweeter Than noon's life-slaying sultry splendours be, Its flowers heart stricken, and their fragrance fleeter. Than winged wavelets of the fleeting sea. When we cry farewell, to the early thrillings Of boyish love, the ideal spreads her wings. And earth-born thoughts attend maturer billings. And lovely woman's classed with common things. Life's lanes no longer break and blow with splendour Beneath our steps, grown conscious of the tomb. And all relationships we reckon tender, Are like those flowers which bear both bane and bloom. Our early homesteads we may most revisit, But never gain the guileless mouth, which there 11 Blew into blossom when bright lips would kiss it. The flower should not be sweeter than the pear. 'Tis only so in love—but 'tis consolinjr. The flower faded and the fruit will fall, And every varied pulse of life controllino-. Comes one cold touch— and makes an end of all. KATE. "When Adam loft his native seat, The rose that bloomed 'mid deathless bowers, In dreams would glow around his feet, Beneath a sky undimmed by showers. Thus wilt thou haunt me in the night, In dreams I'll sit beside thy chair, Thy form will wear its wonted light. Its golden glimm ^-^ thy flaxen hair. Our great sire found his lot less hard, Assured that no unhallowed power, Could break within the angel guard. Which circled round the sacred flower. And I will hope our fates may stand In parallel, and thou'lt be blest, Thy hand within some worthier hand. Thy head on some more worthy breast. I I 12 But oh, what pangs this heart would rend, Of all life's joys 'twould spoil the zest— Thy hand in some less worthy hand, Thy head on some un worthier breast. For I had dreamed that I might blend, My name and life with thine and be All boyhood feigned, and haply lend A larger, fuller life to thee. And still I'll dream, like some wild nest Of wearied birds which wait the wing, Which oft has brought the parent's breast Has brought, but never more may bring. For struck by man, she now may lie Mid blooming meads or waving hops, Or the next moment she may cry And chatter in the neighbouring copse. I'll dote despite all harsh replies. And fair I'll deem thee spite of scorn ; For gazing in thy starry eyes, The love which breaks my heart was born. REPENTANCE. My pipe, which licked creation, I've broken 'gainst Temple Bar, I've flirted my last flirtation. And smoked my last cigar ; And drunk the last, last glass of wine, That e'er shall pass these lips of mine. VIOLBTTA. "We met, how blithe my laughter rang, And yours fared forth in sparkling billows, And through the pearls and corals sang, And flashed beneath your eyelids' willows. I went into the night, each star Was bright as when it glowed on Adam ; I struck a match— lit my cigar, And said; "So, so, I'll flirt with Madam." And flirt we did, nor did I fear The witchery of those glancing eyes, "Would darken all I then held dear, Make light all things I ought to prize. My pulse was high, my heart was gay, My purpose strong 'gainst all fate hurled ; But now, old hopes no longer stay. And you could lure me round the world. QUADROON. Four bloods within thy being meet. Four influences blend. The English give their red rose sweet, The Scotch their thistle lend : The thistle with its purple heart, A sign of feeling's force. And armed to bear its proper part, Of Scotch success, the source. 14 Wit's sparkle, all that's linked with grace, The sound of song and dance, From many a trellised viny place— These are the gifts of France. Thy Indian blood should riches bring From prairie and from brake, The forest glade, the eagle's wino- The lonely glimm'ring lake, The white falls startling soiitude, Long months of winter's reign. The sun-god in his morning mood, Or setting thwart the plain. Thus whatsoe'er's romantic— wild- Is linked with culture high ; You're now a fascinating child, A woman by-and-bye ; And if you'll take a bard's advice. You'll watch o'er all you feel. And guard your heart-that pearl of price- Lest some boy should it steal ; For tho' mythology is grey. And Grecian gods rise never, Yet trust me, love is love to-day, And Cupid's spry as ever. Four bloods within thy being meet, Four influences blend, May every grace thy young life greet, Peace crown its happy end. 15 ELIZA. Columbia's fairest flowers — a garden where A painter's hand might find a model fair, To image her who rose from out the soa, To take men's liearts in sw'iet captivity : Her hair alive with sea-wind, bright with sun, Her lily feet by pearly foam caressed, Her smile a prophecy of worlds undone, In each white limb the goddess all expressed Along the aisle " a dim religious light " Streamed thro' rich windows, variously bedight. Touching to finer issues every hem, And making loveliness more lovely yet, Adding new brightness to the brightest gem. As westward windows blaze when suns doth set. I looked to see some nook one face disclose, Alas ! that poor-rich garden was without the rose. ELIZA. The cold, cruel gods who for ever Sway men's destinies, doomed we should meet. The cold, cruel gods ! — who now sever Two wild hearts which bound but to greet ; And then bound as the lark from his low bed, And sing as he sings when on high, When the sun o'er the earth hath his glow shed, And his splendour is broad in the sky. 16 The flush of thy cheek was as morning, As her star, the sweet light in thine eyes, To a heart wrapt in darkness deforming, And tost in a tempest of sighs ; And I dreamed in a sleep, sweet to sadness, As thy red lips in fancy I prest, That that heart should beat high with noon's A J 1 , , , [gladness, And should bask in the beams of the west. But lo ! ere the day spring is dewless. Kre the shrill lark's loud matin is o'er, I look for thy form, but 'tis viewless. For thy voice, but I hear it no more • And Night with the boom of her beetles. Dethrones Day with the song of her birds There are death knells from shadowy steeples, And wailings too wild for all words ; And I roam like some soul banned from blessing, Amid scenes where joy's cup used o'er-brim,' And bemocked of a phantom caressing, And the ghost of a conjugal hymn ; There's a night in my heart past fate's scorning, Smce above it no morrow shall rise, For the flush of thy cheek was my morning. My day star, the light in thine eyes. 17 ELIZA. (Written on reading a Iclt. r i„ ,vhic|, tI,o writer said: " Ich denke nmjiernu Dich.") Good night ! lest craves this wearied brain, And rest these eyes of mine ; But lo ! they're wide awake again, And looking into thine. Thy glance sincere my fancy takes, And every sense it thrills, And o'er my heart thy calm smile breaks, Like morning o'er the hills. The wintry night a summer light. At thy approach doth show. The raptured stars shine yet more bright More pure those banks of snow. little room ! shabby room ! That'st heard my sacred vow, In splendours veil thy dingy gloom, She's thinking of me now ! 1 know it ! By yon stars which roll Bright sister lamps apart ! The soul may strike thro' space to sou^ ; Heart telephone to heart. O happy pain ! Conflicting late ! To love what's all divine, And yet to have no offering great, To lay upon her shrine. 2 .'.5 18 Away such thoughts! 'tis vain to grieve At smallness of my store, For had I empire's dower to give, I still would give her more. And had I more than empire's dower, Yet more I'd fain bestow, Great Jove might lend me all his power, Still my demands would grow. Beyond the verge of mortal bounds My heart's desires expand. Far — far — through wide eternal rounds, I'd lead her by the hand. Yet that my bliss her bliss could mar, Did God this hour me show, I'd face cold ways which know uo star, I'd wipe my tears and go. For may my years stand all accurst, My flag fall in the strife, If I don't rate her peace as first, And love her more than life. Good night ! thou'rt here my heart throbs vouch ; Thy heart too sure must leap ; Sweet ! bend thee o'er my wintry couch, And kiss these eyes to sleep. r ; 19 VALENTINE. A Flora's head ; from eyes a shower Of starlight over face and iiguro, And in tJie mouth a sense of power, And in the step a note of vigour. Hair, blacker than the murkiest night ; No pads, no friz— lynx-eyes may scan it ; The forehead, a piece of lunar light. Cut by an archway on white granite. The column'd neck— but I must pause ; My senses reel— what if I lose 'em ! Old Hogarth's line— sweet beauty's laws. Are folded in that ample bosom. • A form— no angel's— rather hers Who came with Neptune's s unny spray lit We'd swear, or else my judgment errs. If you had wings to fly a-;ray with. We met, once in the busy street. And once when dancing ruled the season ; We did not dance— but yet your feet Bore me along in spite of reason. And so I sit to-day and weave This little wreath of careless rhyming, And half I joy, and hal^' I grieve. To know my name's beyond divining. 2i -.»/*■ 20 As one might sing to some sweet star Upon the young night's forehead glow- ing, I sing to ) ou : so near, «o far— Hold on your radiant course unknowing. TIIR YOUNG BRIDE. "We throe talk'd of her yesterday ; Her father and her mother, And he v;ho writes this little lay, In heart a kind of brother. Her gentle beauty, art had placed Upon the shelf before us. And all the gifts her soul that graced, Like summer lights play'd o'er us. We thought we saw her there the while, Recall'd each playful saying, The archness in the mouth's sweet smile. The humour round it playing ; The universal love that met Her kind heart outward going, The cheerfulness which never set. The charity ever flowing. How many a time while music roll'd, And twang'd the saucy fiddle, We two sat on the stair, and told A story or a riddle ; 21 Or laughed— no scornful laugh— at those Who bill'd and coo'd aroui I us ; The music stopp'd — then up we rose, The slight bond burst that bound us. Oh ! all her gracious ways that day As we throe talk'd together, Came like the smell of new-mown hay. Or of the blossom'd heather, Upon the hearts of those threj fri*»nds : Two knew her all her past years, While he who here a mourner bends, IBut knew her these few last years. But, who that knew her, months or years, Could hear that death had taken So sweet a soul, nor let hot tears Show that his soul was shaken ? The spouseless spouse ! Let fall the veil ! Hush ! hush ! That ground's too holy ! O Youth ! O Death ! O tragic tale ! Young widower bending lowly ! To think of yesterday, and all The gladsome mem'ries swelling. And now for that young life the pall, The mournful church-bell knelling ! Toll out sad notes, but also sweet ; Let hope our sorrow leaven ; She is not dead ; tho' here we meet NTo more ; we'll meet in Heaven. , II p Ift' Ik? 22 THE CHARITABLE NrGHT SHIRT. I once went far to see Some maids with whom I might flirt ; They were bent on charity, And proposed to make a night shirt. For the good of some good cause, Orphans or such weak chickens ; I'd have ordered without pause, If the cause were at the dickens. I called again. I^o know Of that work my ears were itchin', When the ladies, quite aglow, Told me all about the stitchin' : How 'twas cut out by one, Its full length undiminished, How the gussets they were done, And how the whole was finished. The coals were waxing low, And fainter the flames' flashes ; Like my hot youth's fervid glow, What was once fire now was ashes. I began to scratch my head, Like some posed and puzzled varmint-— And I thought I'll go to bed. And try on the new garment. 28 Scarce got beneath the clothes, My hand beneath my head, sir, Fixed for a night's repose — When I sprang clean out of bed, sir. What was wrong ? O patience please — Every fibre was a-twitchin' ; Those gussets stung like bees, And like wasps the dainty stitchin'. To pull it off I tried, Eut it hugg'd me close, oppressive ; And while struggling, I espied A sweec face most expressive. And a form !— I think, I swore I ne'er saw aught so splendid, — She but said : " You'll sleep no more. Your nights of rest are ended." And she smiled — gods ! how she smiled ! And how her black eyes glistened ! From my pangs I was beguiled. As to that voice I listened. I stooped to kiss her hand. White as milk fresh from a dairy, She drew back with curtsy bland. And then vanish 'd like a fairy. And now I never sleep. And I'm tortur'd as I told, sir, 24 And 1 think I sometimes weep, With longing to behold her. But from her I'm exiled, That maid with face bewitchin'; And the gussets drive me wild, And I'm madden'd by the sti'tchin'. THE PRAYER. Tell me did he hear thee maiden ! Did he grant thy gentle prayer ? Does he rest the heavy laden ? Is there balm for wounding there ? Beyond voids no science bridges, Beyond suns no glass can sight, Beyond calm eternal ridges, Casting shadows infinite, Where he dwells in vast seclusion, Which not fancy's wing can reach, Does he heed the fond illusion, That he recks man's feeble speech? Say,^ did bright-robed angels flutter O'er thy young form bending there ? Did some voice mysterious utter, Sure responses to thy prayer ? 26 Angels bright-robed may have flutter'd O'er me bowed in sorrow there, But no voice mysterious utter'd Aught responsive to my prayer. Only in my heart I felt where Softly Jesus gently stirred, And around me as I knelt there, All the effluence of the Word. Yes, Lord ! coarse sense failed to hear thee, Sense made dull by sin's black wine, Yet my God 1 knew thee near me, And my spirit touched by thine. MRS. A. (Written opposite verses wliich prior to her marriage were composed in praise of the lady's charms.) Mrs. A is just like Miss Lottie, She's graceful as the daintiest bird, She bewitches, and makes one feel what he Can scarcely express by a word. I've bent over flowers— play'd the lover — I've gazed on the blue of the sky. But memory fails to discover. Brighter tints than her cheek or her eye. Her hand is as soft as a bird's breast, Her arm is as white as the snow, 26 And if I could flirt, oh ! with what zest, I'd steal old Dan Cupid's best bow. But, in peace all concerned may now bide, Nor husband, nor lover, need fret, For the blood in my veins is at ebb tide, And the sun of my hot youth has set. Yet, my heart, will indeed, have grown dead, sir, My blood cold as the coldest of tea. When her mouth— such a bow ruby red, sir ! — Fails to waken emotion in me. But were Lottie too kind — like Miranda — ("Which she's not), still my lot it were glum. For Boss Gardener's on the verandah. And Sihuyler is there with his drum. All unplucked, the red rose gives us pleasure. And the star while serene in her sphere. And though she's of another the treasure, 'Tis a joy — thus meeting her here. Long may timr pare those cheeks round and rosy, And those eyes, where the young lightnings work; Seeing her, one can never grow prosy, If e'er dull — I will visit New York. 2t Then smile me one sweet smile so tender, And throw with white iingers a kiss, And I'll think I have gone on a bender, Where the glad gods are dwelling in bliss ; That Hebe is filling my tumbler, That Time's musty term is up. That the great god of war plays the grumbler, While Venus is sharing my cup ; While— but the sight is too entrancing, For two and two they're dancing. Footing it so clever. The gods who live for ever. For ever, for ever, for ever, By pleasure's tideless sea ; For ever, for ever. Like my regard for thee. TO MRS. CORBETT. In other years ^her love was king, Betimes I learned to woo. And whoso asked me then to sing, Could have a stave or two. But now my Muse is lumpish grown, And laughs at Cupid's token, And my poor heart— tis but a stone, So hard—though often broken. 28 Thus as I pondered deep to-day, And for invention panted, My Muse grew bright as any fay, I thought she was enchanted ! And from her lips such music stole, As never on this orb yet Was heard, I cried : " My Muse ! my soul !" My Muse ! 'Twas Mrs. Corbett. TO G- Of ladies gay, in verses brief, I've sung and ta'en the early rose. And asked of every dewy leaf, What could its tender tints disclose, More fair than those which ruby bright, Grlowed on young cheeks now red now fainter, Until they merged in lily white. Which shamed the snow, defied the painter. But when I fain would sing of thee, In vain my midnight lamp I burn, Nor rose nor wild anemone Will serve my dainty Muse's turn ; She spreads her airy wings afar, And bathes in stellar dews her crest. And then you glow that loveliest star Which diamonds young Aurora's breast. I 29 AN IRISH FAIR. Now Paddy to the dancing flew, His shirt was clean, his necktie new, And Peggy's gown and face were beaming ; Beneath the canvas every spark Was gay as dewy morning's lark, YukhehlYukheh! Yukheizah ! heizah ! heh ! The fiddle sticks were screaming. ^nd Phelira sidled up to Proo, And round her waist his arm drew, The spalpeen sure was ravin' ; The modest colleen jumped aside, Half crimson with offended pride, Yukheh! Yukheh ! Yukheizah ! heizah ! heh ! Now don't be misbehavin'. But at his smile offence takes flight, They dance to left, they dance to right, Their hands their hips are clutching ; They grow quite red, they grow quite warm. Then on they wander arm in arm, Yukheh! Yukheh! Yukheizah ! heizah ! heh ! 'Neath the trees their lips are touching. Come, come, sir, be not quite so bold. Or you shall find that I can scold, This is the way of men's betrayin' ; 80 He comes the blarney, utters vows, And on they roam 'neath blossomed boughs, Yukheh ! Yukheh ! Yukheizah ! hcizah ! heh ! And far from crowds the two are strayin'. MASKS AND PACES. The features of the fairest face Are little more than signs, And but of ugliness the mask, If they don't tind their highest task. In telling of a higher grace That in the soul's face shines. Bright eyes of blue, or brown, or jet, Or lovelier still thine own, G-row dim as chambers of the n.ght, If they're not fed with living light, A mental sun which cannot set. Till life's red leaves have flown. And when those leaves are scatter'd wide, The frost bit branches sere. The garden one cold wintry scene. The abounding rose but what has been. The lily fair but what has died, And all is bleak and drear ; O in that desert hour — what then ? Let beauty mourn — that glass Which of its lot could one day brag. 'm^ 81 But renders back a wrinkled hag ; Let genius know for other men His wand was made and pass. But whither ? O the cruel gods Whose silent wheels sweep past — Rest, rest brave heart — the shadows grow, And cold and colder lies the snow, And soft and softer press the sods, And you have peace at last. What matters now vile Slander's hissing ? The venom'd deadly dart ? That heads grew drunk to gaze on forms, Which since have proved cold joints for worms ? That lips were red for kissing. That heart beat wild for heart ? What thoughts built up the soul, what made The music of the breast — This, this alone concerns you now, And Beauty's smile, and Fame's large brow Are but as wiles of some wild jade. Whose smile's a common pest. A CUP OF TEA. O didn't 1 just like your cup Of tea on yester even, But make me such each time I'm up. And send me straight to heaven. 82 Indeed, your tea on yester-night, Quite put me on my mettle ; ' Fwould make me glad in death's despite, And sing like an old kettle Tell Dr Bellman how I quaffed The tasty, fragrant, brew hot, And how at leaving him 1 laughed, For causes that he knew not. He thought me mad to be awtiy. O'er grumpy law-books stewing, "While I but thought of the bohea His best of cooks was brewing. The far plantation where it grew, May blessings rich bedew it ! And richer blessings light on you Who knew well how to stew it ! The kindness which that cup supplied Was better than the tipple. For that was friendships brimming tide, This but a passing ripple. LILIES. As pure as these I hoped that life might be, But like a dream that fond hope disappears, A glimmering ghost down vistas of dark years, And heart-bereaved I fly from thought to thee.