FOR A COPY OF THEOCRITUS.

(VILLANELLE.)

SINGER of the field and fold, THEOCRITUS! Pan's pipe was thine,Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

For thee the scent of new-turned mould,
The bee-hives, and the murmuring pine,
O Singer of the field and fold!

Thou sang'st the simple feasts of old,— The beechen bowl made glad with wine. . Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

Thou bad'st the rustic loves be told,-
Thou bad'st the tuneful reeds combine,
O Singer of the field and fold!

And round thee, ever-laughing, rolled
The blithe and blue Sicilian brine..
Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

Alas for us! Our songs are cold;
Our Northern suns too sadly shine :-

O Singer of the field and fold,
Thine was the happier Age of Gold !

1880.

"TU NE QUAESIERIS."

(VILLANELLE.)

EEK not, O Maid, to know (Alas! unblest the trying!) When thou and I must go.

SE

Will Jove long years bestow ?—
Or is 't with this one dying,
That thou and I must go ;

Now,-when the great winds blow, And waves the reef are plying?.. Seek not, O Maid, to know.

Rather let clear wine flow,
On no vain hope relying;
When thou and I must go

1877.

Lies dark; then be it so.
Now,—now, churl Time is flying;
Seek not, O Maid, to know
When thou and I must go.

THE PRODIGALS.

(BALLADE: IRREGULAR.)

"PRINC

RINCES!-and you, most valorous, Nobles and Barons of all degrees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,

Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask or of gold or fees; Harry us not with the hounds we pray;

Lo, for the surcote's hem we seize,— Give us-ah! give us-but Yesterday !"

"Dames most delicate, amorous !

Damosels blithe as the belted bees!
Hearken awhile to the prayer
of us,-
Beggars that come from the over-seas!

Nothing we ask of the things that please;
Weary are we, and worn, and gray;

Lo,-for we clutch and we clasp your knees,--Give us-ah! give us-but Yesterday !"

"Damosels-Dames, be piteous!"

(But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) "Hear us, O Knights magnanimous !"

(But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.)