FOR A COPY OF THEOCRITUS.

O

(VILLANELLE.)

SINGER of the field and fold,

THEOCRITUS! Pan's pipe was thine,

Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

For thee the scent of new-turned mould,
The bee-hives, and the murmuring pine,
O Singer of the field and fold!

Thou sang'st the simple feasts of old,—
The beechen bowl made glad with wine..
Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

Thou bad'st the rustic loves be told,-
Thou bad'st the tuneful reeds combine.
O Singer of the field and fold!

And round thee, ever-laughing, rolled
The blithe and blue Sicilian brine..
Thine was the happier Age of Gold.

Alas for us! Our songs are cold;
Our Northern suns too sadly shine :-
O Singer of the field and fold,
Thine was the happier Age of Gold !

1880.

"TU NE QUAESIERIS."

(VILLANELLE.)

EEK not, O Maid, to know

SE

(Alas! unblest the trying !) When thou and I must go.

No lore of stars can show.
What shall be, vainly prying,
Seek not, O Maid, to know.

Will Jove long years bestow ?—
Or is 't with this one dying,
That thou and I must go ;

Now, when the great winds blow, And waves the reef are plying?.. Seek not, O Maid, to know.

Rather let clear wine flow,
On no vain hope relying;
When thou and I must go

1877.

Lies dark ;-then be it so.

Now,-now, churl Time is flying;

Seek not, O Maid, to know
When thou and I must go.

THE PRODIGALS.

(BALLADE: IRREGULAR.)

"PRINCES!—and you, most valorous,

Nobles and Barons of all degrees!

Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,-
Beggars that come from the over-seas!
Nothing we ask or of gold or fees;
Harry us not with the hounds we pray;
Lo,-for the surcote's hem we seize,—
Give us-ah! give us-but Yesterday !"

"Dames most delicate, amorous !

Damosels blithe as the belted bees! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,Beggars that come from the over-seas! Nothing we ask of the things that please; 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.)