Page images
PDF
EPUB

THE LILY OF THE VALLEY.

WHITE bud! that in meek beauty so dost lean,
The cloister'd cheek as pale as moonlight snow,
Thou seem'st beneath thy huge, high leaf of green,
An Eremite beneath his mountain's brow.

White bud! thou'rt emblem of a lovelier thing,-
The broken spirit that its anguish bears

To silent shades, and there sits offering
To Heaven, the holy fragrance of its tears.

CROLY.

MY NATIVE VALE.

DEAR is my little native vale,

The ring-dove builds and murmurs there;
Close by my cot she tells her tale

To every passing villager.

The squirrel leaps from tree to tree,

And shells his nuts at liberty.

In orange groves and myrtle bowers,
That breathe a gale of fragrance round,
I charm the fairy-footed hours
With my loved fute's romantic sound;
Or crowns of living laurel weave,
For those that win the race at eve.

The shepherd's horn at break of day,
The ballet danced in twilight glade,
The canzonet and roundelay
Sung in the silent green-wood shade;
These simple joys, that never fail,
Shall bind me to my native val.

ROGERS.

AFTER THE DRAWING-ROOM.

THE drawing-room is over, and I have seen the king!

I'm very sure my head is turn'd, and won't come right this spring:

I positively can't take off my feathers and my train, I never look'd so well before, and never may again.

I heard a lady to a lord complaining of the crowd, And say, "What common people come!-I wonder they're allow'd!"

Of course that wasn't meant for me, though father did sell cheese;

Since brother made a noble match, I'll go there when I please.

And I was ornamented too, nobody look'd so fine, I did not see one gown or train that look'd the least like mine;

I'm sure I had more colours on, than anybody there, Green, red, and yellow mingled, and blue feathers in my hair.

Then some one came and took my train, and spread it out behind,

Just as a peacock spreads his tail; I thought it very

kind:

And seeing 't was a nice young man, dress'd out in gold and blue,

I said, "I thank you kindly, sir-I'd do as much for you."

They led me to his majesty-I thought I would have dropp'd,

He held his hand out friendly like, and kiss'd me when I stopp'd;

And there the king and I were standing, face to face

together,

I said, "How is your majesty ?-it's mighty pleasant weather."

And then the people push'd me on! I did n't half like that

I'm sure the king had half a mind to bid me stop and

chat;

But looking on, I saw the queen! I'm sure I hope and

trust

She didn't see the king kiss me! and yet I think she

must.

I curtsey'd to her majesty, the proper thing to do, And seeing ladies standing round, I curtsey'd to them

too;

I honour maids of honour so, I wish'd to be polite, And the queen and all the ladies smiled, which proved that I was right.

I knew (though ne'er at court before!) well what I was about

Of course I did not turn my back, but tried to sidle

out;

But walking, I tripp'd up and fell-(they make their trains so big!)

And, catching at the first thing near, pull'd off a lady's wig!

And then I fainted dead away!-a dreadful thing to

do

Until I found myself at home, no earthly thing I

knew!

I've graced a court! indeed I'll add by way of being

witty,

"Twas in a court that father lived-a back court in

the city!

BAYLEY.

WAS I RIGHT, OR WAS I NOT?

WAS I right, or was I not?

The age exact I cannot tell,
But 't was sometime in teens, I wot,
That I came out a dashing belle.
My mother call'd me "harebrain'd chit,"
But that I needed ne'er a jot,
For little Miss must flirt a bit,
Was I right, or was I not?

Away I sparkled in the ring;

And soon was known as false and fair:

Oh! 't is a dear delightful thing

When first we make a swain despair. There was young Frederick all on fire,

Who vow'd and swore-I know not what

Of course I left him to expire.

Was I right, or was I not?

Dear me! I felt a trifle sad,

When all cried out "what have you done!" For, sure enough, I loved the lad:

But who'd take up with number one?

So vive l'amour! I gaily cried,

And he, poor wretch, was soon forgot,

For I'd a hundred sparks beside.
Was I right, or was I not?

Some shook their heads, but I had skill:
Lovers and friends I went on winning,
What will you have? I flirted still,—
Because I flirted at beginning.

A long gay train I led away;

Young Cupid sure was in the plot;
I thought the spell would last for aye:-
Was I right, or was I not?

But now 't is come into my head
That I must grow discreet and sage,
For there are hints my charms have fled,
And I approach "a certain age."
So the next offer-that's my plan-
I'll nail, decisive on the spot;
"Tis time that I'd secured my man.
Am I right, or am I not?

But ah! though gladly I'd say "Yes,"
The looks of all the men say "No."
Who would have thought 't would come to this?
But mother says, "I told you so!"
Friends, lovers, danglers, now are gone:

Not one is left of all the lot,

And I'm a "maiden all forlorn!"

Is it right, or is it not?

ANON.

THE DYING SPEECH OF FALIERO.

I SPEAK to Time and to Eternity,
Of which I grow a portion, not to man.
Ye elements! in which to be resolved

I hasten, let my voice be as a spirit

Upon you! Ye blue waves! which bore my banner,
Ye winds! which flutter'd o'er as if you loved it,
And fill'd my swelling sails as they were wafted
To many a triumph! Thou, my native earth,
Which I have bled for, and thou foreign earth,
Which drank this willing blood from many a wound!
Ye stones, in which my gore will not sink, but

Reek up to Heaven! Ye skies which will receive

it!

Thou sun! which shinest on these things, and

Thou!

Who kindlest and who quenchest suns!-attest:

« PreviousContinue »