UTOPIA. "I can dream, sir, If I eat well and sleep well."-The Mad Lover. IF I could scare the light away, If I could bid the clouds obey, And Fancy builds a fairer home In slumber's hour for me. I had a vision yesternight. Of a lovelier land than this, Where heaven was clothed in warmth and light, Where earth was full of bliss; And every tree was rich with fruits, And every field with flowers, And every zephyr wakened lutes In passion-haunted bowers. I clambered up a lofty rock, I read through a page and a half of Locke, I said whate'er I may but feel, And I danced one day an Irish reel, And I was more than six feet high, And I had a voice of melody, And beautiful black eyes; My horses like the lightning went, And I held my tongue at an argument, I saw an old Italian priest Who spoke without disguise; I dined with a judge who swore, like Best, I bought for a penny a twopenny loaf, I danced with a female philosophe, The kitchens there had richer roast, And the Peers had passed a vote or two There was a crop of wheat, which grew And there were kings who never went And sportsmen who forbore to praise And boroughs were bought without a test, And no man feared the Pope; And the Irish cabins were all possessed Of liberty and soap; And the Chancellor, feeling very sick, Had just resigned the seals; And a clever little Catholic Was hearing Scotch appeals. I went one day to a Court of Law Where the rod was never used: There love had never a fear or doubt; Of temper-or of tune; The streets were paved with mutton pies, Nothing looked black but woman's eyes; It was an idle dream; but thou, And, oh! I had an honest heart, And a house of Portland stone; And thou wert dear, as still thou art, Oh, bitterness!-the morning broke And thou wert married when I woke, And toil and trouble, noise and steam, (1827.) MARRIAGE CHIMES. "Go together, all.” You precious winners all."--- Winter's Tale. FAIR Lady, ere you put to sea, And wish you pleasant weather. Safe from the perils of the war, Nor killed, nor hurt, nor missing— Since many things in common are Between campaigns and kissing— |