And she hath left the grey old halls, where an evil faith had power, The courtly knights of her father's train, and the maidens of her bower; And she hath gone to the Vaudois vales by lordly feet untrod, Where the poor and needy of earth are rich, in the perfect love of God! WHITTIER. LADIES' NAMES. THERE is a strange deformity As often in the ladies' names Some names are fit for every age, Some passing sweet and musical, Some horribly uncouth; Some fit for dames of loftiest grades, Some only fit for scullery maids. Ann is too plain and common, Yet Anna is endurable, And Annie better still; There is a grace in Charlotte; A haughtiness in Kate; And Sarah is sedate and neat; Matilda has a sickly sound, And Esther sage and staid; Maria is too forward; And Gertrude is too gruff, And Laura is too fine; But Emily is beautiful; And Mary is divine; Maud only suits a high-born dame; And Fanny is a baby name. Eliza is not very choice; Jane is too blunt and bold; And Caroline is vain and shy; Louisa is too soft and sleek; And Harriet is confiding; And Janet arch and wild; And Grace is old and rare; And Margaret frank and fair; ANONYMOUS. GENTLEMEN'S NAMES. IF in the ladies' names exist, Both harsh and gentle tones, So, in the names of gentlemen While some are humble, others vain; George smacks of country life and fields, While Julius has a city sound, And Edwin's somewhat tame. John is most English, but appears And Edmund dull, though steady; While Michael's rough and ready; In Alfred, there is something old, That breathes of ancient fame; Frank speaks most clearly for itself, Power's bright and golden blaze; In Oswald there's a haughty tone; In Maurice pleasing traits; While Edward, with its Saxon birth, Is link'd to manliness and worth. Adolphus is fantastical; Ralph fitted for a knave; While Philip is too sharp and quick, And Jacob much too grave; In Henry there's a simple grace, "Tis soft and unpretending; In Eustace, poetry and love Seem elegantly blending; While David's fitted for a Jew, As Isaac, Job, and Gabriel, too. In Roger there's a vulgar sound, And Joseph teems with woes; And Sidney, sweet in tone appears, |