The letter, embassies, and spies, The frowns, and smiles, and flatteries, The quarrels, tears, and perjuries (Numberless, nameless mysteries!) And all the little lime-twigs laid By Machiavel the waiting-maid I more voluminous should grow But I will briefer with them be, Whom God grant long to reign! I lounge in the ilex shadows, I see the lady lean, Unclasping her silken girdle, The curtain's folds between. She smiles on her white-rose lover, She reaches out her hand And helps him in at the window – I see it where I stand! To her scarlet lip she holds him, THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH, The Nun. ABRAHAM COWLEY. If you become a nun, dear, A friar I will be; In any cell you run, dear, Pray look behind for me. The blind will see the show; What! you become a nun, my dear, I'll not believe it, no! If you become a nun, dear, The Cupids every one, dear, Will chant, "We trust in thee!" The incense will go sighing, The candles fall a dying, The water turn to wine: What! you go take the vows, my dear? You may-but they'll be mine. Crabbed Age and Youth. CRABBED age and youth Cannot live together: Age like winter weather; Youth is nimble, age is lame; Youth is wild, and age is tame. O, my love, my love is young! Age, I do defy thee; O, sweet shepherd! hie thee, For methinks thou stay'st too long. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. LEIGH HUNT. Nocturne. Up to her chamber window A slight wire trellis goes, And up this Romeo's ladder Clambers a bold white rose. The Maiden's Choice. GENTEEL in personage, Generous and free; |