THE SCREEN IN THE LUMBER YES ROOM 'ES, here it is, behind the box, That paradise of paradox We once knew so completely; The year when . . You remember? Look, Laura, look! You must recall This wonderful Swiss waterfall, And this old "Leaning Tower"; And here's the "Maiden of Cashmere," And here is Bewick's "Starling," And here the dandy cuirassier You thought was "such a Darling!" Your poor dear Aunt! you know her way She used to say this figure Reminded her of Count D'Orsay "In all his youthful vigour "; And here's the "cot beside the hill" The day that.. But I doubt if still Too damp-by far! She little knew, Your guileless Aunt Lavinia, Those evenings when she slumbered through "The Prince of Abyssinia," That there were two beside her chair Who both had quite decided To see things in a rosier air Than Rasselas provided! Ah! men wore stocks in Britain's land, DAISY'S VALENTINES ALL night through Daisy's sleep, it seems, Have ceaseless "rat-tats" thundered; All night through Daisy's rosy dreams But now, when chirping birds begin, Yes, there they are! With quirk and twist, (Save Grandpapa's dear stiff old "fist," But which is his, her young Lothair's,-- 'Tis there, be sure. Though truth to speak (If truth may be permitted), I doubt that young "gift-bearing Greek" Is scarce for fealty fitted; For has he not (I grieve to say) To two loves more, on this same day, He may be true. Yet, Daisy dear, That even youth grows colder And when you're somewhat older, But wait. Your time will come. And then, Sound-hearted, strong, and tender ;- IN TOWN "The blue fly sung in the pane."-TENNYSON, TOILING in Town now is "horrid," (There is that woman again!)— June in the zenith is torrid, Thought gets dry in the brain. There is that woman again: "Strawberries! fourpence a pottle!' Thought gets dry in the brain; "Strawberries! fourpence a pottle!" Oh for the green of a lane !— Ink gets dry in the bottle; Oh for the green of a lane, Where one might lie and be lazy! "Buzz" goes a fly in the pane; Bluebottles drive me crazy! Where one might lie and be lazy, Careless of Town and all in it!— Bluebottles drive me crazy: I shall go mad in a minute! |