A BEGGING LETTER.

Because I think a poet's name

Would be a pleasant thing.

Perhaps, though, as I've scarcely got

A single claim to lay

To such a gift, you'd rather not;

Répondez, s'il vous plaît.

Well, well, To-morrow, you may strike

A line through what's above:

And bring me folks that I can like,

And folks that I can love.

A warmer heart; a quicker brain,

I'll ask for, if I may:

To-morrow, shall I ask in vain?

With the same eyes and hair :

Happy the arm, I swear,

That clasps her bodice.

Heaven grant her fate be bright,
And her step ever light

If then she, like a naughty girl,
Would tyranny declare it,

I'd give my pet a cross of pearl,

And make her always bear it.

LITTLE GERTY.

If still she tried to sulk and sigh,

And threw away my posies,

I'd catch my darling on the sly,

And smother her with roses!

But should she clench her dimpled fists,

Or contradict her betters,

I'd manacle her tiny wrists

With dainty golden fetters.

And if she dared her lips to pout-
Like many pert young misses—
I'd wind my arm her waist about,

And punish her-with kisses!

J. ASHBY STERRY.

I

LITTLE GERTY.

'VE a sweetheart blithe and gay,

Fairer far than fabled fay,

Light and airy.