When we conned o'er Thucydides, Or recited Demosthenes. L'ENVOI Ancient sages, pardon these Somewhat doubtful quantities. H. J. DeBurgh. ON THE OXFORD CARRIER HERE lieth one, who did most truly prove That he could never die while he could move; So hung his destiny never to rot While he might still jog on and keep his trot; Until his revolution was at stay. Time numbers motion, yet (without a crime 'Gainst old truth) motion number'd out his time Too long vacation hasten'd on his term. Fainted, and died, nor would with ale be quicken'd; He had been an immortal carrier. Ninety-nine in the Shade Link'd to the mutual flowing of the seas, Yet (strange to think) his wane was his increase: Only remains the superscription. 781 John Milton. NINETY-NINE IN THE SHADE O FOR a lodge in a garden of cucumbers! O for a vale which at mid-day the dew cumbers! O for a little one-story thermometer, With nothing but zeroes all ranged in a row! O for a big double-barreled hygrometer, To measure this moisture that rolls from my brow! O that this cold world were twenty times colder! O for a turn of its dreaded cold shoulder! O for a grotto frost-lined and rill-riven, O for wet blankets judiciously cast! O for a soda-fount spouting up boldly Then O for a draught from a cup of cold pizen, Rossiter Johnson. THE TRIOLET EASY is the triolet, If you really learn to make it! Easy is the triolet. As you see!-I pay my debt With another rhyme. Deuce take it, Easy is the triolet, If you really learn to make it! William Ernest Henley. THE RONDEAU You bid me try, Blue-eyes, to write Still there are five lines-ranged aright. You bid me try! That makes them eight.-The port's in sight; "Tis all because your eyes are bright! Now just a pair to end in "oo,” When maids command, what can't we do? Behold! The Rondeau-tasteful, light You bid me try! Austin Dobson. 1. WHY all this toil for triumphs of an hour? 2. Life's a short summer, man a flower. 3. By turns we catch the vital breath and die4. The cradle and the tomb, alas! so nigh. 5. To be, is better far than not to be. 6. Though all man's life may seem a tragedy; 7. But light cares speak when mighty griefs are dumb, 8. The bottom is but shallow whence they come. 9. Your fate is but the common lot of all: 10. Unmingled joys here to no man befall, 11. Nature to each allots his proper sphere; 12. Fortune makes folly her peculiar care; 13. Custom does often reason overrule, 14. And throw a cruel sunshine on a fool. 15. Live well; how long or short, permit to Heaven; 16. They who forgive most, shall be most forgiven. 17. Sin may be clasped so close we cannot see its face18. Vile intercourse where virtue has no place. 19. Then keep each passion down, however dear; 20. Thou pendulum betwixt a smile and tear. 21. Her sensual snares, let faithless pleasure lay, 22. With craft and skill, to ruin and betray; 23. Soar not too high to fall, but stoop to rise. 24. We masters grow of all that we despise. 25. Oh, then, renounce that impious self-esteem; 26. Riches have wings, and grandeur is a dream. 27. Think not ambition wise because 'tis brave, 28. The paths of glory lead but to the grave. 29. What is ambition?-'tis a glorious cheat!30. Only destructive to the brave and great. 11. Young; 2. Dr. Johnson; 3. Pope; 4. Prior; 5. Sewell: 6. Spenser; 7. Daniell; 8. Sir Walter Raleigh; 9. Longfellow; 10. Southwell; 11. Congreve: 12. Churchill; 13. Rochester; 14. Armstrong; 15. Milton; 16. Bailey: 17. Trench: 18. Somerville: 19. Thomson; 20. Byron; 21. Smollett: 22. Crabbe: 23. Massinger; 24. Cowley; 25. Beattie; 26. Cowper; 27. Sir Walter Davenant; 28. Gray; 29. Willis: 30. Addison; 31. Dryden; 32. Francis Quarles; 33. Watkins; 34. Herrick; 35. William Mason; 36. Hill; 37. Dana; 38. Shakespeare. 31. What's all the gaudy glitter of a crown? 32. The way to bliss lies not on beds of down. 33. How long we live, not years but actions tell; 34. That man lives twice who lives the first life well. 35. Make, then, while yet ye may, your God your friend, 36. Whom Christians worship yet not comprehend. 37. The trust that's given guard, and to yourself be just; 38. For, live we how we can, yet die we must. Unknown. ODE TO THE HUMAN HEART BLIND Thamyris, and blind Mæonides, Full many a gem of purest ray serene, Man never is, but always to be bless'd; For man the hermit sigh'd, till woman smiled, But fools rush in where angels fear to tread As when a vulture on Imaus bred, Laman Blanchard |