ON A NANKIN PLATE. H me, but it might have been! "AF Was there ever so dismal a fate?" Quoth the little blue mandarin. "Such a maid as was never seen! She passed, tho' I cried to her 'Wait,'Ah me, but it might have been ! "I cried, "O my Flower, my Queen, Be mine!' 'Twas precipitate," Quoth the little blue mandarin, "But then.. she was just sixteen, Long-eyed, as a lily straight,Ah me, but it might have been ! "That is why, in a mist of spleen, FOR A COPY OF THEOCRITUS. 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, 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, - And round thee, cver-laughing, rolled Alas for us! Our songs are cold; "TU NE QUAESIERIS." SEEK EEK not, O Maid, to know (Alas unblest the trying!) When thou and I must go. No lore of stars can show. What shall be, vainly prying, Will Jove long years bestow? - 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, |