I. SEHAT matter-what matter-O friend, though the Sea In lines of silvery fire may slide O'er the sands so tawny and tender and wide, "No matter, no matter, in sooth," said he : II. What matter-what matter-dear friend, can it be, "No matter, no matter, in truth," said he : "But the streak that fades and fades as we part, Is a broken voice and a breaking heart: -No more to me!" ALFRED DOMETT. LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. WEET! in the flow'ry garland of our love, A secret strand of purest gold entwined. While bloomed the magic flowers we scarcely knew With scarce a sigh !—and yet the flowers were fair, But this bright thread of unadulterate oreFriendship-will last though Love exist no more; And though it lack the fragrance of the wreath,— Unlike the flowers, it hides no thorn beneath. SIR NOEL PATON. DALLYING. EAR love, I have not ask'd you yet; Say if it shall be so. The colour on your cheek, which plays See, pluck this flower of wood-sorrel, Its woodland grace becomes you well, Oft you sit 'mid the daisies here, Yet day by day goes by ;-I fear To break a trance so sweet. As some first autunın tint looks strange, Would your soft "yes" our loving change?- THOMAS ASHE. CHARMIAN. TN the time when water-lilies shake Their green and gold on river and lake, When the cuckoo calls in the heart o' the heat, When the Dog-star foams and the shade is sweet; Where cool and fresh the River ran, I sat by the side of Charmian, And heard no sound from the world of man. All was so sweet and still that day! Warm and sweet the scented shade With tender tone or syllable. D But to ease our hearts and set thought free We pluckt the flowers of a red Rose-tree, And leaf by leaf, we threw them, Sweet, Into the river at our feet, And in an indolent delight, Watched them glide onward, out of sight. Sweet, had I boldly spoken then, How might my love have garner'd thee! Watching them glimmer down the stream, Then, while we linger'd, cold and gray Full of a sweet indifference! I missed the spell-I watch'd it break,- In a less golden hour I spoke, For wearily we turned away |