"Hæc decies repetita [non] placebit."-ARS POETICA. FLACC LACCUS, you write us charming songs: In such perfection what belongs No man can say that Life is short Or touch, with more serene distress, And then delightfully digress. From Alp to Adriatic: All this is well, no doubt, and tends Barbarian minds to soften; But, HORACE we, we are your friends- Why feign to spread a cheerful feast, Recount, and welcome, your pursuits: O, spare to sing, what none deny, Or bid us dine-on this day week- Of that we fear not overplus ; But your didactic 'tap'— Forgive us!-grows monotonous; Nunc vale! Verbum sap. VERSES TO ORDER (FOR A DRAWING BY E. A. ABBEY) HOW weary 'twas to wait! The year The red leaf to the running brook The white snow filled the orchard up; Spring stirred and broke. 'Gan cawing in the loft; The rooks once more The young lambs' new-awakened cries The pale wind-flowers blew; but she How weary 'twas to wait! With June, Through all the drowsy street, Came distant murmurs of the war, The gossips, from the market-stalls, But June shed all her leaves, and still And then, at last, at last, at last, But she stood trembling yet, and dazed And thus the artist saw her stand, A LEGACY H, Postumus, we all must go: AH This keen North-Easter nips my shoulder; My strength begins to fail; I know You find me older; I've made my Will. Dear, faithful friend- The venal,— How will you live-of these deprived? But you-Nay, nay, 'tis so. The rest Not gold, that hearts like yours despise; The Life's Confession! |