“VIXI PUELLIS.”

(RONDEAU OF VILLON.)

WE

7E loved of yore, in warfare bold, Nor laurelless. Now all must go; Let this left wall of Venus show The arms, the tuneless lyre of old.

Here let them hang, the torches cold,
The portal-bursting bar, the bow,
We loved of yore.

But thou, who Cyprus sweet dost hold, And Memphis free from Thracian snow, Goddess and queen, with vengeful blow, Smite,—smite but once that pretty scold We loved of yore!

1877

"WHEN I SAW YOU LAST, ROSE."

(VILLANELLE.)

WH

HEN I saw you last, Rose,
You were only so high ;-
How fast the time goes!

Like a bud ere it blows,
You just peeped at the sky,
When I saw you last, Rose!

Now your petals unclose,
Now your May-time is nigh;—
How fast the time goes!

And a life,-how it grows!
You were scarcely so shy,
When I saw you last, Rose !

In your bosom it shows
There's a guest on the sly;
(How fast the time goes!)

1877.

Is it Cupid? Who knows!
Yet you used not to sigh,
When I saw you last, Rose ;-
How fast the time goes!

ON A NANKIN PLATE.

(VILLANELLE.)

"A

H me, but it might have been! 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 !

"As it was, from her palankeen, She laughed 'You're a week too late!'" (Quoth the little blue mandarin.)

Q

"That is why, in a mist of spleen,
I mourn on this Nankin Plate.
Ah me, but it might have been !"—
Quoth the little blue mandarin.

1881.