SUMMER SONG. I SAW the last rose of the waning year ; And, lingering, I seemed the doom to hear : No breath was stirring through the sultry dayOnly a butterfly with wings outspread ; Although its fluttering scarce the air could sway, The rose yet felt it and her petals shed. FRIEDRICH HEBBEL.-Sommerlied. INNOCENCE. 'Love is an infant full of guile''Twas thus my mother spake 'Despite his gentle air and smile, Avoid him like a snake!' And yet it puzzles me From such a child as he What harm a girl can take. "Twas but to-day young Hylas came, And in Evadne's ear, With trembling lips and eyes of flame, Described a god so dear So full of joy and truth— The very god forsooth Who caused my mother's fear! To do away with all my doubt, Lysander I'll employ ; Together we'll seek Cupid out, Nor breathe a word to annoy Mamma; and should Love try His very naughtiest, why, We're two against a boy. BOUFFLERS.-L'Amour. THE MAGIC LANTERN. 'MAGIC lanterns for ever!' cried I, How rude of the showman to say Before one has time to explore: "Now look at them well while you may; Very soon you will see them no more!" I have long learnt to lay to my heart The words that could then rouse my gall; To the man who reflects they impart A lesson 'tis well to recall : Life's gew-gaws, so tempting and gay— All the objects by which we set store Now look at them well while you may; Very soon you will see them no more! There is Gércourt, whom luck still befriends You would gamble, like him, in a trice. As he doubles his gains o'er and o'er : Now look at them well while you may; Very soon you will see them no more! In the midst of his parasite band, Who can vie with the wealthy Mondor? He knows that a failure, well-planned, Will leave him more rich than before ; The dupes he has promised to pay Cent. per cent. may lament and implore: Now look at them well while you may; Very soon you will see them no more! |