In vain we fondly strive to trace
The soul's reflection in the face;

In vain we dwell on lines and crosses,
Crooked mouth, or short proboscis;
Boobies have look'd as wise and bright
As Plato or the Stagirite:

And many a sage and learned skull

Has peep'd through windows dark and dull.
Since then, though art do all it can,
We ne'er can reach the inward man,
Nor (howsoe'er "learn'd Thebans" doubt)
The inward woman, from without,
Methinks 'twere well if Nature could
(And Nature could, if Nature would)
Some pithy, short description write,
On tablets large, in black and white,
Which she might hang about our throttles,
Like labels upon physic-bottles;

And where all men might read-but stay-
As dialetic sages say,

The argument most apt and ample

For common use is the example.
For instance, then, if Nature's care
Had not portray'd, in lines so fair,
The inward soul of Lucy Landon,
This is the label she'd have pinn'd on.

LABEL FIRST.

Within this form there lies enshrined
The purest, brightest gem of mind.
Though Feeling's hand may sometimes throw
Upon its charms the shade of woe,
The lustre of the gem, when veil'd,
Shall be but mellow'd, not conceal'd,

TO JULIA.

ON HER BIRTHDAY.

WHEN Time was entwining the garland of years,

Which to crown my beloved was given, Though some of the leaves might be sullied with tears,

Yet the flow'rs were all gather'd in heaven.

And long may this garland be sweet to the eye,
May its verdure for ever be new;
Young Love shall enrich it with many a sigh,
And Sympathy nurse it with dew.

A REFLECTION AT SEA. SEE how, beneath the moonbeam's smile, . Yon little billow heaves its breast, And foams and sparkles for awhile,Then murmuring subsides to rest.

Thus man, the sport of bliss and care,
Rises on Time's eventful sea;
And, having swell'd a moment there,
Thus melts into eternity!

CLORIS AND FANNY. CLORIS! if I were Persia's king,

I'd make my graceful queen of thee; While FANNY, wild and artless thing, Should but thy humble handmaid be.

There is but one objection in it—
That, verily, I'm much afraid

I should, in some unlucky minute,
Forsake the mistress for the maid.

THE SALE OF LOVES.

I DREAMT that, in the Paphian groves,
My nets by moonlight laying,
I caught a flight of wanton Loves,
Among the rose-beds playing.
Some just had left their silv'ry shell,

While some were full in feather; So pretty a lot of Loves to sell, Were never yet strung together. Come buy my Loves,

Come buy my Loves, Ye dames and rose-lipp'd misses!They're new and bright,

The cost is light,

For the coin of this isle is kisses.

First Cloris came, with looks sedate, Their coin on her lips was ready; "I buy," quoth she, "my Love by weight, "Full grown, if you please, and steady." "Let mine be light," said Fanny, “pray— "Such lasting toys undo one; "A light little Love that will last to-day,"To-morrow I'll sport a new one."

Come buy my Loves,
Come buy my Loves,

Ye dames and rose-lipp'd misses!—
There's some will keep,

Some light and cheap,

At from ten to twenty kisses.

The learned.Prue took a pert young thing,
To divert her virgin Muse with,
And pluck sometimes a quill from his wing,
To indite her billet-doux with.
Poor Cloe would give for a well-fledged pair
Her only eye, if you'd ask it;

And Tabitha begg'd, old toothless fair,
For the youngest Love in the basket.
Come buy my Loves, &c. &c.

But one was left, when Susan came,
One worth them all together;
At sight of her dear looks of shame,
He smiled, and pruned his feather.
She wish'd the boy-'twas more than whim—
Her looks, her sighs betray'd it;
But kisses were not enough for him,
I ask'd a heart, and she paid it!
Good-by, my Loves,
Good-by, my Loves,

"Twould make you smile to've seen us
First trade for this

Sweet child of bliss,

And then nurse the boy between us.