Friend B., the argument you choose There's but one creed,—that's Laissez faire; My dear, declamatory pair, Not your ephemeral hands, nor mine, Who 'll drink the last, I wonder? TO Q. H. F. 133 TO Q. H. F. SUGGESTED BY A CHAPTER IN THEODORE MARTIN'S "HORACE." ("ANCIENT CLASSICS FOR english readers.") "H ORATIUS FLACCUS, B.C. 8," There's not a doubt about the date,— As you observed, the seasons roll; And 'cross the Styx full many a soul Since, mourned of men and Muses nine, They laid you on the Esquiline. And that was centuries ago! You'd think we'd learned enough, I know, Since last you trod the Sacred Street, Or, by your cold Digentia, set The web of winter birding-net. Ours is so far-advanced an age! Commodious villas! We boast high art, an Albert Hall, We have a thousand things, you see, And yet, how strange! Our "world," to-day, Tried in the scale, would scarce outweigh Your Roman cronies; Walk in the Park-you'll seldom fail To find a Sybaris on the rail By Lydia's ponies, Or hap on Barrus, wigged and stayed, The great Gargilius, then, behold! Fair Neobule too! Is not One Hebrus here-from Aldershot? Be wise. There old Canidia sits; No doubt she's tearing you to bits. TO Q. H. F. And look, dyspeptic, brave, and kind, Here's Pyrrha, "golden-haired" at will; Asterie flirting, Radiant, of course. We'll make her black,- So with the rest. Who will may trace Defined as clearly; Science proceeds, and man stands still; As yours was, Horace! You alone, 135 TO "LYDIA LANGUISH." "Il me faut des émotions." BLANCHE AMORY. OU ask me, Lydia, "whether I, You If you refuse my suit, shall die." (Now pray don't let this hurt you) Although the time be out of joint, I should not think a bodkin's point The sole resource of virtue ; Nor shall I, though your mood endure, Attempt a final Water-cure Except against my wishes; For I respectfully decline To dignify the Serpentine, And make hors-d'œuvres for fishes; But, if you ask me whether I Composedly can go, Without a look, without a sigh, "You are assured," you sadly say (If in this most considerate way To treat my suit your will is), That I shall "quickly find as fair |