Pour me, from Ionian goblets, Laws with pleasure that combine. Showers of golden thought come flashing Leap exulting from the bowl. Of the hymn, O Dionusos! Loudly I will sing to thee. Quick! the harp heroic bring! But without the blood stained string. HOW KISSING FIRST CAME UP. One glowing summer morning, reading calmly in the glade, Where shadows of the waving trees a moving carpet made, With gauzy flowing garments, gliding fay-like through the air, Young Ellen came and lightly leant upon my garden chair, Her white round arm so lightly leaning on the rustic chair. "What quaint old musty volume, cousin, are you pondering o'er ?" "The History of Womankind, as told in days of yore; With curious tales of customs strange its pages do abound, And here the way 'how kissing first came up' is to be found, How kissing first was introduced, herein is to be found. This pleasing pastime first began in Rome, as some assert, Where ladies never tasted wine, not even at dessert; And kinsmen to be certain of such abstinence, it saith, First kissed relations on the mouth, to find out by their breath, To find out if the rich wine's fragrance lingered in their breath." In thoughtful blushing silence, gentle Ellen looketh down, And gathereth on her puzzled brow faint semblance of a frown; "Why you so oft have kissed me, I could ne'er before divine, But, oh!-how could you could you ever think I smelt of wine, Now, cousin! did you really ever think I smelt of wine ?" THE MUFFIN BELL. A COUNTRY-TOWN SONG. That little noisy muffin-bell, Festive hours, when old friends meet. How early now the day grows dusk! The autumn stores are gathered in ; And filberts, peeping through their husk, Heaps of game, no doubt, he'll bring; Books we'll read, and songs we'll sing. Shut out the night, each curtain close, Loud, hoarse, and shrill the rude wind blows, Abroad some seek ambition's prize, GALATEA. A MADRIGAL. "Malo me Galatea petit, lasciva puella; Et fugit ad salices, et se cupit ante videri." Blooming, blushing, Galatea, Hastening to the wood I see her; VIRG. Ecl. iii. With her pretty head askance, Sweet enticing Galatea. Why seeketh she the osier shade, That coy, alluring, winsome maid ? Not to hide, but to be seen, Ere she reach the willows green. Tantalizing Galatea. The sportive girl an apple throws And with panting bosom flies From the kiss for which she sighs. Laughing, mocking Galatea. LOVE FOR THE OLD. Many have sung Of the joys of the young, And their eyes of Azure light; Yet, when all is told, There's a charm in the old In autumnal sunshine bright. As the sun descends, And the long day ends, Richer robes clothe the changing west, And holiness beams O'er the woods and streams, Happy type of a heavenly rest. So 'tis sweet to trace In some dear old face, As the peach-bloom fades to white, How the spirit's calm Sheds a hallowing balm O'er the threshold of coming night. Love for the old ! Though dim vapours enfold The sides of the mountains high; Their summits serene Stand clear between Earth's mists and a cloudless sky. FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW. Sabbath morn, snowflakes are falling To the village and the hall : Little children come to me, Yeoman, matron, youth and maiden, Cheerfully a crowd is wending, Leaving footprints in the snow; Footprints, fringed with crystals sparkling, To and from the Church, when darkling Evening veils the silent day. Night's fond eyes, with diamond splendour, |