T DISASTER WAS ever thus from childhood's hour! Which was the first to fade away! The garden, where I used to delve Short-frock'd, still yields me pinks in plenty ; The pear-tree that I climbed at twelve I see still blossoming, at twenty. I never nursed a dear gazelle; He's green, with an enchanting tuft; He melts me with his small black eye; He'd look inimitable stuffed, And knows it - but he will not die! I had a kitten In pets but all too soon my kitten Became a full-sized cat, by which I've more than once been scratched and bitten And when for sleep her limbs she curl'd One day beside her untouch'd plateful, And glided calmly from the world, I freely own that I was grateful. And then I bought a dog-a queen! And scarce can crawl across the rug. Delighted in her pert bow-wow; But now she snaps if you don't mind; 'T were lunacy to love her now. I used to think, should e'er mishap Or coarse bull-terrier- I should die. And life might e'en be too sunshiny; Charles S. Calverley. T SARAH'S HALLS HE broom that once through Sarah's halls, Now useless leans 'gainst Sarah's walls So sweeps the slavey now-a-days So work is shifted o'er, And maids that once gained honest praise No more the cobweb from its height All sign that Sarah gives Is when some dish or platter breaks, To show that still she lives. Judy. I 'T WAS EVER THUS NEVER rear'd a young gazelle, (Because, you see, I never tried); But had it known and loved me well, No doubt the creature would have died. My rich and aged Uncle John Has known me long and loves me well But still persists in living on I would he were a young gazelle. I never loved a tree or flower; The blight, the wind, the sun, or shower I've dearly loved my Uncle John, From childhood to the present hour, And yet he will go living on I would he were a tree or flower! Henry S. Leigh. AFTER JANE TAYLOR T THE BAT WINKLE, twinkle, little bat! Up above the world you fly, Lewis Carroll. AFTER BARRY CORNWALL THE TEA HE tea! The tea! The beef, beef-tea! TH Without a doubt, as I'll be bound, The best for an invalid 't is found; I like beef-tea! I like beef-tea, I'm satisfied, and aye shall be, With the brew I love, and the brew I know, go. If the price should rise, or meat be cheap, I love-oh, how I love to guide The strong beef-tea to its place inside, I never have drunk the dull souchong, |