TO THE LATE H. C. BUNNER WITN [With a Volume of Verses] ITNESS my hand (and seal thereto): All ye who wrong by word or sign, This unprotected Muse of mine, I wish you . . . Something else to do! May all your bills at once fall due! May She, whose grace you seek, decline! Witness my hand! But you, acute, accomplished, true Discern a spark (or sparks) divine, Be blessed! There's good in store for You, Witness my hand! VTO RICHARD WATSON GILDER OLD [With a Volume of Verses] friends are best! And so to you Again I send, in closer throng, No unfamiliar shapes of song, But those that once you liked and knew. You surely will not do them wrong; Old books, old wine, old Nankin blue;- All these I prize, but (entre nous) Old friends are best! "GOOD LUCK TO YOUR FISHING!" [For a Picture by Mr. G. F. WATts, R.A.] G OOD luck to your fishing! She irks me, she irks me, With little drawn sighs; She tempts me with tears; Good luck to your fishing! But would you had caught A BALLAD OF ANTIQUARIES 'HE days decay as flowers of grass, THE The years as silent waters flow; All things that are depart, alas! As leaves the winnowing breezes strow; And still while yet, full-orbed and slow, New suns the old horizon climb, Old Time must reap, as others sow: We are the gleaners after Time! We garner all the things that pass, All gifts the hurrying Fates bestow; We hoard old lore of lad and lass, Old flowers that in old gardens grow, Old records writ on tomb and brass, All drift that wanders to and fro :- |