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Why should Damis, who acts now and then

Respectably, try a new art?

He has ventured a drama to pen

With an eye, it is true, to his part ;

The mode is to praise it; to-day

You'll shout with the groundlings, 'Encore!'

Now look at it well while you may;

Very soon you will see it no more!

The world is a mightier stage,

Where actors more capable mix,

And the gaping spectators engage

By deeper theatrical tricks :

The comedy ends, and away

Vanish kings, clowns, buffoons, from the floor:

Now look at them well while you may;

Very soon you will see them no more!

For a song, these reflections of mine
Are a trifle severe, I must own;

So fill me a bumper of wine,

To teach me a merrier tone;

And be it champagne or toquay,

I will sing as I sang heretofore : Now look at it well while you may; Very soon you will see it no more!

ARMAND GOUFFE.-I.a Lanterne Magique.

EPIGRAM.

YOUR lawyer seek; if he affirms
Your case is good-without a flaw-
Find your opponent, come to terms :
If you've no merits, go to law.

J. B. ROUSSEAU.—Épigramme.

ANOTHER.

'KEEP Silence there, constable,' cried

A judge: 'it is really absurd;

Here's the tenth case to-day I have tried

Without ever hearing a word!'

BARRATON.-Épigramme.

THE DONKEY'S COMFORT.

I'VE nothing choice about me,

Am dull, mis-shapen, coarse,

Devoid of pith and force; Men jeer at me and flout me, And shun me, young and old;

I'm neither hot nor cold.

I've nothing choice about me,

Am dull, mis-shapen, coarse,

For fodder, straw's dealt out me;

I'm thwacked without remorse :

Ah, cruel Nature fashioned me all wrong;
She gave me nothing-but the gift of song!

CLAUDIUS.-Des Esels Trost.

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A thousand hours of trouble grieve us,
To gain from thee a moment kind;
Thy lively transports quickly leave us,
And sharp repentance stays behind.

But Friendship-man's divinest treasureThrice happy who can thee attain ! 'Tis thine to rival Love in pleasure

Unmarred by any of his pain.

G

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