"TU NE QUAESIERIS.” (VILLANELLE.) EEK not, O Maid, to know S' (Alas! unblest the trying!) When thou and I must go. No lore of stars can show. Will Jove long years bestow ?--- Now, when the great winds blow, And waves the reef are plying? . . Seek not, O Maid, to know. Rather let clear wine flow, 1877. Lies dark ;-then be it so. Now,-now, churl Time is flying; Seek not, O Maid, to know THE PRODIGALS. (BALLADE: IRREGULAR.) "PRINCES!—and you, most valorous, Nobles and Barons of all degrees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,- "Dames most delicate, amorous! Damosels blithe as the belted bees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us, Beggars that come from the over-seas! Weary are we, and worn, and gray; Lo, for we clutch and we clasp your knees,Give us―ah! give us-but Yesterday!" "Damosels-Dames, be piteous !" (But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) "Hear us, O Knights magnanimous !" (But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.) Nothing they gat or of hope or ease, But only to beat on the breast and say:"Life we drank to the dregs and lees; Give us―ah! give us—but Yesterday!" ENVOY. YOUTH, take heed to the prayer of these ! Many there be by the dusty way,— Many that cry to the rocks and seas "Give us―ah! give us-but Yesterday !" 1876. ON A FAN THAT BELONGED TO THE MARQUISE DE POMPADOUR. (BALLADE.) 'HICKEN-SKIN, delicate, white, CHICnted Painted by Carlo Vanloo, Loves in a riot of light, Roses and vaporous blue; Hark to the dainty frou-frou! Picture above, if you can, Eyes that could melt as the dew, This was the Pompadour's fan! See how they rise at the sight, Thronging the Eil de Bauf through, Courtiers as butterflies bright, Beauties that Fragonard drew, Ah, but things more than polite |