B ROCOCO. Y studying my lady's eyes I've grown so learnéd day by day, So Machiavelian in this wise, That when I send her flowers, I say To each small flower (no matter what; Geranium, pink, or tuberose, Syringa, or forget-me-not, Or violet) before it goes: "Be not triumphant, little flower, When on her haughty heart you lie, But modestly enjoy your hour: She'll weary of you by and by." THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. DORUS TO LYCORIS, WHO REPROVED HIM FOR INCONSTANCY. @HY should I constant be? This leafy summer, Hath not his last year's mate, Nor dreads to venture fate With a new-comer. Why should I fear to sip The sweets of each red lip? The roving bee may taste (Lest aught should run to waste) The trickling rain doth fall Upon us one and all; The south wind kisses The saucy milkmaid's cheek, The nun's, demure and meek, Then ask no more of me That I should constant be, Take not such idle pains To hold our love in chains, Nor coax, nor hire it. Rather, like some bright elf, So that thy latest mood Forget what thou wast first, I'll love thee out of mind When each new morn shall find Thee a new creature. EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN. A CHAIN TO WEAR. I. WAY! away! The dream was vain; Your own hands forged about your fate, II. What you had given your life away Are vain as this is ! III. Well, I have left upon your mouth The seal I know must burn there yet; My claim is set upon your youth; My sign upon your soul is set ; Dare you forget? IV. And you'll haunt, I know, where music plays, You'll blush, of course, when others praise What's done, is done! V. For me, you say, the world is wide— ROBERT, LORD LYTTON. B |