Have ye tippled drink more fine I have heard that on a day To a sheepskin gave the story- And pledging with contented smack Souls of Poets dead and gone What Elysium have ye known— J. KEATS 230. THE PRIDE OF YOUTH. Proud Maisie is in the wood, Walking so early; Sweet Robin sits on the bush Singing so rarely. "Tell me, thou bonny bird, Who makes the bridal bed, "Birdie, say truly?" "The gray-headed sexton That delves the grave duly. The glowworm o'er grave and stone Shall light thee steady; The owl from the steeple sing Welcome, proud lady." SIR W. SCOTT. 231. THE BRIDGE OF SIGHS. One more Unfortunate Weary of breath Rashly importunate, Take her up tenderly, Look at her garments Drips from her clothing; Touch her not scornfully; Make no deep scrutiny Rash and undutiful : Past all dishonour, Death has left on her Only the beautiful. Still, for all slips of hers, One of Eve's family Wipe those poor lips of hers Oozing so clammily. Loop up her tresses Who was her father? Who was her mother? Had she a sister? Had she a brother? Or was there a dearer one Still, and a nearer one Yet, than all other? Alas! for the rarity O! it was pitiful! Near a whole city full, Home she had none. Sisterly, brotherly, Fatherly, motherly Feelings had changed: Love, by harsh evidence, Where the lamps quiver So far in the river, With many a light From window and casement, From garret to basement, She stood, with amazement, Houseless by night. The bleak wind of March Made her tremble and shiver; But not the dark arch, Or the black flowing river: Glad to death's mystery Swift to be hurl'd- In she plunged boldly, Lave in it, drink of it Take her up tenderly, Ere her limbs frigidly Decently, kindly, Smooth and compose them; Dreadfully staring Perishing gloomily Burning insanity, Into her rest. -Cross her hands humbly As if praying dumbly, Over her breast! Owning her weakness, Her evil behaviour, And leaving, with meekness, Her sins to her Saviour! T. HOOD. 232. ELEGY. O snatch'd away in beauty's bloom! Their leaves, the earliest of the year, And oft by yon blue gushing stream |