And I felt grateful for the grace

Which youth and beauty throw around The buoyant air, the mind-lit face,

The charm of sight, the joy of sound.

Nor fear'd I, that those sunny hours
Would scorch the buds of pious bloom,
More than I fear that woodland flowers
In gay parterres will lose perfume.

Nor did I chill with aspect grave,

Those eyes, which soon may droop with tears, Those hearts, where yet in grief must wave The cypress shade of coming years.

One gentle caution kindly given

I could have breath'd to every ear Enjoy; but O, forget not Heaven Enjoy; but seek a nobler sphere.

THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE.

GENTEEL in personage,
Conduct and equipage,

Noble in heritage,

Generous and free;

Brave and romantic,

Learned not pedantic,

Frolic not frantic;

Thus must he be.

Honor maintaining,
Meanness disdaining,

Still entertaining,

Engaging and new;

Neat, but not finical,
Sage, but not cynical,

Never tyrannical,

But ever true.

ANONYMOUS.

THE COUNTERFEIT.

OFF with that stain! Rather would I behold
The ghastly whiteness of death's bleaching hand.
Than see thee thus, a painted show, a cheat,
To lure the eye, to lure all eyes for she

Who stains the velvet softness of her cheek
Does it for all for vanity, not love.

O, once methought it would be next to heaven
To lay my cheek by thine; (at least in dreams,
For love respectful ventures not so near

Its idol;) but away - Truth is my idol,
And she thou art not, for her cheek is pure.

Yes; sooner would I taste that faithless fruit,
With looks enticing while encasing dust,

Than kiss thy cheek, thou roseate lie! Give me

To press the paleness of the lily's leaf,

And I will nourish it, and my true love

Shall pour upon its petals fair a glow

Richer than thou canst draw from falsehood's store!

Lips, too? Must they be ting'd by art, and lose The odorous, balmy dew of nature? Nay,

Speak not. Thy words, like founts once pure, become Over those poisonous beds defiled! Go back

To holy nature, lady, and a heart

That longs to trust thee will pour out its love,

And kneel with thee, once more, before Truth's shrine.