A BALL-ROOM ROMANCE. A FAIR good-night to thee, love, A fair good-night to thee, And pleasant be thy path, love, Though it end not with me. Liking light as ours, love, Was never meant to last; It was a moment's fantasy, And as such it has passed. We met in lighted halls, And our spirits took their tone, Like other dreams of midnight With colder morning flown. And thinkest thou to ever win I shed no tear for thee. A BALL-ROOM ROMANCE. For him, the light and vain one, For him there never wakes That love for which a woman's heart Will beat until it breaks. And yet the spell was pleasant, Though it be broken now, Like shaking down loose blossoms Thy words were courtly flattery ; But ah! love takes another tone, And nothing to regret: Love touches not the flatterer, Love chains not the coquette. 'Twas of youth's fairy follies, By which no shade is cast; AN EXPOSTULATION. One of its airy vanities, And like them it hath past. No vows were ever plighted, We'd no farewell to say: Gay were we when we met at first, A fair good-night to thee, love, I have no parting sighs to give, So take my parting smile. ANONYMOUS. AN EXPOSTULATION. HEN late I attempted your pity to move WHEN What made you so deaf to my prayers: Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But-why did you kick me down stairs? ANONYMOUS. ROSETTE. (Imitated from the French of BÉRANGER.) ES! I know you're very fair; YES And the rose-bloom of your cheek, And the gold-crown of your hair, Seem of tender love to speak. But to me they speak in vain, I am growing old, my pet,Ah! if I could love you now As I used to love Rosette ! In your carriage every day I can see you bow and smile; Lovers your least word obey, Mistress you of every wile. She was poor, and went on foot, Badly drest, you know,-and yet,— You are clever, and well known For your wit so quick and free; Now, Rosette, I blush to own, Scarcely knew her A B C; But she had a potent charm In my youth-ah, vain regret! If I could but love you now As I used to love Rosette ! THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. (Imitated from the French of BÉRANGER.) N the evening, I sit near my poker and tongs, And I dream in the firelight's glow, And sometimes I quaver forgotten old songs That I listened to long ago. |