And you speak-and bring with you
Leaf and sun-ray, bud and blue,
And the wind-breath and the dew
At a word.

When you called to me my name,
Then again

When I heard your single cry
In the lane,

All the sound was as the "sweet
Which the birds to birds repeat
In their thank-song to the heat
After rain.

When you sang the Schwalbenlied,

'Twas absurd,

But it seemed no human note

That I heard;

For your strain had all the trills,

All the little shakes and stills,

Of the over-song that rills

From a bird.

You have just their eager, quick

"Airs de tête,"

All their flush and fever-heat

When elate;

Every bird-like nod and beck,

And a bird's own curve of neck

When she gives a little peck

To her mate.

When you left me, only now,

In that furred,

Puffed, and feathered Polish dress,

I was spurred

Just to catch you, O my Sweet,
By the bodice trim and neat,-

Just to feel your heart a-beat,

Not a whit for rest or hush;

But the leaves, the lyric gush,

And the wing-power, and the rush
Of the air.

So I dare not woo you, Sweet,

For a day,

Lest I lose you in a flash,

As I may;

Did I tell you tender things,

You would shake your sudden wings;

You would start from him who sings,

And away.

THE LOVE-LETTER

J'ai vu les mœurs de mon tems, et j'ai publié cette lettre."
-LA NOUVELLE HELOISE.

IF this should fail, why then I scarcely know What could succeed. Here's brilliancy (and banter),

Byron ad lib., a chapter of Rousseau ;

If this should fail, then tempora mutantur; Style's out of date, and love, as a profession, Acquires no aid from beauty of expression.

"The men who think as I, I fear, are few,"

(Cynics would say twere well if they were fewer); "I am not what I seem,"-(indeed, 'tis true; Though, as a sentiment, it might be newer); "Mine is a soul whose deeper feelings lie More deep than words "-(as these exemplify).

"I will not say when first your beauty's sun Illumed my life,"(it needs imagination); "For me to see you and to love were one,”. (This will account for some precipitation); "Let it suffice that worship more devoted Ne'er throbbed," et cætera. The rest is quoted.

"If Love can look with all-prophetic eye,”(Ah, if he could, how many would be single!) "If truly spirit unto spirit cry,"

(The ears of some most terribly must tingle!) "Then I have dreamed you will not turn your

face."

This next, I think, is more than commonplace.

"Why should we speak, if Love, interpreting,

Forestall the speech with favour found before Why should we plead ?-it were an idle thing, If Love himself be Love's ambassador!" Blot, as I live! Shall we erase it? No ;"Twill show we write currente calamo.

"My fate, my fortune, I commit to you,"
(In point of fact, the latter's not extensive);
"Without you I am poor indeed,"-(strike through,
'Tis true but crude-'twould make her appre-
hensive);

"My life is yours-I lay it at your feet,"
(Having no choice but Hymen or the Fleet).

'Give me the right to stand within the shrine, Where never yet my faltering feet intruded; Give me the right to call you wholly mine," (That is, Consols and Three-per-Cents included);

"To guard your rest from every care that cankers,

To keep your life, (and balance at your banker's).

"Compel me not to long for your reply;

Suspense makes havoc with the mind-(and muscles);

"Winged Hope takes flight,"-(which means that I must fly,

Default of funds, to Paris or to Brussels); "I cannot wait! My own, my queen-PRISCILLA! Write by return." And now for a Manilla!

"Miss Blank," at "Blank." Jemima, let it go;

And I, meanwhile, will idle with "Sir Walter "; Stay, let me keep the first rough copy, though'Twill serve again. There's but the name to

alter;

And Love, that starves,-must knock at every

portal,

In forma pauperis. We are but mortal!