The bleak wind of March
Made her tremble and shiver;
But not the dark arch,
Or the black flowing river:
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery,
Swift to be hurl'd-
Anywhere, anywhere,
Out of the world!
In she plunged boldly,
No matter how coldly
The rough river ran,—
Over the brink of it,
Picture it-think of it,
Dissolute man!
Lave in it, drink of it,
Then, if you can!
Take her up. tenderly,
Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly,
Young, and so fair!
Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,
Decently, kindly,—
Smoothe and compose them :
And her eyes, close them,
Staring so blindly !
Dreadfully staring
Thro' muddy impurity,
As when with the daring
Last look of despairing,
Fix'd on futurity.
Perishing gloomily,
Spurr'd by contumely,
Cold inhumanity,
Burning insanity,
Into her rest.
Cross her hands humbly,
As if praying dumbly,
Over her breast!
Owning her weakness,
60 Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,
Her sins to her Saviour!
EPIGRAM ON DR. ROBERT ELLIOT OF CAMBERWELL.
WHATEVER Doctor Robert's skill be worth,
One hope within me still is stout and hearty,
He would not kill me till the 24th
For fear of my appearing at his party!
EPIGRAM ON A CERTAIN EQUESTRIAN STATUE
WHOEVER has looked upon Wellington's breast,
Knows well that he is not so full in the chest ;
But the sculptor, to humour the Londoners partial,
Has turn'd the lean Duke to a plump City Marshal.
EPIGRAM ON THE NEW HALF-FARTHINGS
'Too small for any marketable shift,
What purpose can there be for coins like these?'
Hush, hush, good Sir !-Thus charitable Thrift
May give a Mite to him who wants a cheese!
CHARM'D with a drink which Highlanders compose,
A German traveller exclaim'd with glee,-
'Potztausend! sare, if dis is Athol Brose,
How goot dere Athol Boetry must be !'
Particularly commended, with the Fifth of Sir Philip Sidney's, and the pages of Froissart, to the perusal of certain Journalists across the Channel; and generally to their Young countrymen, who would do well to affect, with the beards and moustaches of the olden time, the gallant courtesy of the ancient manners.
RARE Composition of a Poet-Knight,
Most chivalrous amongst chivalric men,
Distinguish'd for a polish'd lance and pen
In tuneful contest, and the tourney-fight;
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