Reserved for twilight's darkling hour, And as with thoughts of former years None wonders at an old man's tears, Think not he dotes because he weeps; And oft in age a helpless pride How busy now his teeming brain, Are represented there, He ponders on his infant years, How swift those lovely hours were past, In darkness closed how soon! As if a winter's night o'ercast His wither'd hand he holds to view, Disease, neglect, and scorn, Strange pity of himself he feels, "This is not only pathetic," continued the nymph, "but it is poetical in the truest sense of the term; for it presents at once an image to the mind, an argument to the judgment, and a subject interesting to the universal feelings of our nature. Pray, do tell me by whom it was written." "Some other time I may," replied Benedict,"when the proper occasion arises; meanwhile, have you found any thing else that pleases you ?" "O they all please me," said Egeria briskly; "and here is a humorous effusion, that seems to have been written as a companion to the affecting little piece which I have just read.” ELEGY BY A SCHOOL-BOY. How blest was I at Dobson's ball! The fiddlers come, my partner chosen ! My oranges were five in all, Alas! they were not half-a-dozen! For soon a richer rival came, And soon the bargain was concluded; To leave me for an orange more ! Could not your pockets-full content ye? He had but six, and five were plenty. And mine were biggest, I protest, As juicy, large, and sweet as any one's. Could I have thought, ye beaux and belles, Could move my fair one thus to shun me! All night I sat in fixed disdain, While hornpipes numberless were hobbled; I watch'd my mistress and her swain, And saw his paltry present gobbled. But when the country-dance was call'd, And led triumphant to her station. What other could I think to take? Of all the school she was the tallest ; What choice worth making could I make, None left me, but the very smallest! But now all thoughts of her adieu ! Mair's Introduction lies in view, And I must write my Latin version. Yet all who that way are inclined, "There is, "resumed the nymph," not only humour and truth in this little poem, but a naïveté of thought and expression, which shows that the author possesses very amiable dispositions." "Possessed!" replied the Bachelor with a mournful accent,- "but read me the short ballad on old age. I remember, when I heard it at first, it struck me as one of the most plaintive and simple complaints I had ever met with. It is in my opinion quite a melody, and a sad one too. Alas, that we should grow old!" Egeria turned over the papers, till she found the piece, and then began to read. A BALLAD ON OLD AGE. Come any gentle poet Who wants a mournful page, O age is dark and dreary, In rest finds no repose; His friends long time departed, When children are hard-hearted, He thinks them at his side. O who would strive with nature I seek not life, but rather That voyage is surely best. "I shall not be content, my dear Benedict," said the nymph," till you tell me by whom these papers were written, and how it happened that so many really charming things have never been published ?” "Whether any of these poems have ever been published,” replied the Bachelor, "I do not certainly know; but the Essay on Deformity was printed in some periodical work at the time it was written, and I recollect it obtained a warm commendation from the editor. The author then was very young, a mere boy, and the promise of his talent was a blossom that might have come in time to some rich and rare fruit, had he been spared in health.” "In health! then he is still alive?" said the nymph. "Do not question me any further at present," replied the Bachelor; "I have a reason for my silence. Have you looked at any more ?" |