These twinkling tiny lustres of the land So when a child, as playful children use, CCCXII. A DREAM OF HINDOSTAN. Risum teneatis, amici ?— "THE longer one lives the more one learns,” Bemused with thinking of tithe concerns, But, lo! in sleep not long I lay, When Fancy her usual tricks began, On aught but rice, is deem'd a sinner; "But how is this?" I wondering cried, As I walked that city, fair and wide, And saw in every marble street, A row of beautiful butchers' shops "What means, for men who don't eat meat, So, on, from street to street I strode ; The butchers look'd-a roseate crew, . Still posed to think what all this scene Of sinecure trade was meant to mean, "And pray," asked I, "by whom is paid The expense of this strange masquerade? "The expense! Oh, that's of course defray'd," Said one of these well-fed Hecatombers, By yonder rascally rice-consumers. "What! they, who mustn't eat meat!""No matter (And while he spoke his cheeks grew fatter), "The rogues may munch their Paddy crop, But the rogues must still support our shop. And, depend upon it, the way to treat 66 Heretical stomachs that thus dissent, Is to burthen all that won't eat meat With a costly Meat Establishment." On hearing these words so gravely said, With a volley of laughter loud I shook; And my slumber fled, and my dream was sped, With my nose in the Bishop of FERNS's book. Thomas Moore. CCCXIII. WHEN Love came first to earth, the Spring And back he vow'd his flight he'd wing But Spring departing, saw his faith And richer bowers of Summer. Then sportive Autumn claim'd by rights And even in Winter's dark cold nights Her routs and balls, and fireside joy, Thomas Campbell. CCCXIV. WHEN the black-letter'd list to the gods was presented, For justice divine could not compass her ends; The scheme of man's penance he swore was defeated, For earth becomes heaven with wife, children, and friends If the stock of our bliss is in stranger hands vested, The fund ill-secured oft in bankruptcy ends; But the heart issues bills which are never protested When drawn on the firm of Wife, Children, and Friends. Though valour still glows in his life's waning embers, Drops a tear of regret as he dying remembers How blest was his home with wife, children, and friends. The soldier, whose deeds live immortal in story, Whom duty to far distant latitudes sends, With transport would barter whole ages of glory For one happy day with wife, children, and friends. Though spice-breathing gales o'er his caravan hover, Though round him Arabia's whole fragrance ascends, The merchant still thinks of the woodbines that cover The bower where he sat with wife, children, and friends. The day-spring of youth, still unclouded by sorrow, Alone on itself for enjoyment depends; But drear is the twilight of age if it borrow No warmth from the smiles of wife, children, and friends. Let the breath of Renown ever freshen and cherish Let us drink-for my song, growing graver and graver, Let us drink-pledge me high-Love and Virtue shall flavour Honble. William R. Spencer. CCCXV. THE OLD STORY OVER AGAIN. WHEN I was a maid, Nor of lovers afraid, My mother cried, "Girl, never listen to men. Her lectures were long, But I thought her quite wrong, And said I, "Mother, whom should I listen to, then?" Now teaching, in turn, What I never could learn, I find, like my mother, my lessons all vain ; Men ever deceive,— Silly maidens believe, And still 'tis the old story over again. So humbly they woo, What can poor maidens do But keep them alive when they swear they must die? Ah! who can forbear, As they weep in despair, Their crocodile tears in compassion to dry? Yet, wedded at last, When the honeymoon's past, The lovers forsake us, the husbands remain; Our vanity's check'd, And we ne'er can expect They will tell us the old story over again. James Kenny. CCCXVI. THE GIRL OF CADIZ. O, NEVER talk again to me Of northern climes and British ladies; It has not been your lot to see, Like me, the lovely girl of Cadiz. Altho' her eyes be not of blue, Nor fair her locks, like English lasses', How far its own expressive hue The languid azure eye surpasses! Prometheus-like from Heaven she stole From eyes that cannot hide their flashes; And as along her bosom steal In lengthen'd flow her raven tresses, You'd swear each clustering lock could feel, And curl'd to give her neck caresses. Our English maids are long to woo, For love ordain'd the Spanish maid is,. And who, when fondly, fairly wonEnchants you like the girl of Cadiz? The Spanish maid is no coquette, Nor joys to see a lover tremble; And if she love, or if she hate, Alike she knows not to dissemble. Her heart can ne'er be bought or soldHowe'er it beats, it beats sincerely; And, tho' it will not bend to gold, 'Twill love you long, and love you dearly. The Spanish girl that meets your love For every thought is bent to prove |