Farewell, farewell, whate'er of thee For where the holy fount is set, Past sun and star. J. R. Mozley. CLXI A REPLY Voltaire, O Christian souls! for this was sent, J. R. Mozley. ergo iubemus, quod sibi vindicat prompta manus, tenera ista forma fallit, alens elementa vitae, speramus et nos deposito metu gaudere tecum, sanguine plenius fervente vena, Solis ultra limina sidereosque tractus. E. D. S. CLXI NON SORDIDUS AUCTOR NATURAE Missus ad hoc Voltur, qui vanae insomnia mentis— credite Christicolae-securaque rumperet oti vincula; iudicia et mores culpaveris: esto: verum illud tamen edocuit, quod oportuit omnes CLXII I Go away, Death! You have come too soon. To sunshine and song I but just awaken And the dew on my heart is undried and unshaken; II Go away, Death! The mists of the morning have vanished, I roam Through a world bright with wonder, and feel it my home; Come back at eve. III Go away, Death! See, it still is light. Over earth broods a quiet more blissful than glee, IV Come to me, Death! I no more would stay. The night-owl hath silenced the linnet and lark, Take me away. CLXIII The sun is not abed when I At night upon my pillow lie, A. Austin. Still round the earth his way he takes Day dawns beyond the Atlantic sea, R. L. Stevenson. CLXII REPETIT QUOD NUPER OMISIT Hinc, hinc abi Mors! cur properas nimis? corda lavunt: medio reverti aestu licebit: quid? spatium breve concedis: hinc te corripe; vanuit qui rura matutinus umor condiderat ; nitidum pererro miratus orbem: dat propriam domum tellus; reversam vespere nil moror :— nunquamne, Mors, absistis? almam cernis adhuc superesse lucem ; porrecta terris laetitiam quies evincit, undas dulce crepusculum tristes serenat: tu redibis nocte :-veni! reducem saluto: nam strix alaudae strix acalanthidis pressit querellas; et monitus gemens instillat horrendos per umbram ; ire volo capias volentem. CLXIII τοῖσι λάμπει μὲν μένος ἀελίου Sol non dormit, ubi meum pulvinar tacita nocte levat caput. circum orbem ruit impiger aurorasque facit perpetuum novas. claro dum fruimur die apricoque domi ludimus hortulo, nutrix sedula languidis Indorum pueris oscula dividit. mensam ut vespere desero, E. D. S. lucet prima dies trans mare Atlanticum, et quicunque Hesperiam colit, tum surgit tunicamque induitur puer. CLXIV DICKENS RETURNS ON CHRISTMAS DAY [A ragged girl in Drury Lane was heard to exclaim, "Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die too?" June 9th, 1870.] "Dickens is dead!" Beneath that grievous cry London seemed shivering in the summer heat; Strangers took up the tale like friends that meet, "Dickens is dead," said they, and hurried by ; Street children stopped their games-they knew not why, But some new night seemed darkening down the street. A girl in rags, staying her way-worn feet, Cried "Dickens dead? Will Father Christmas die?" City he loved, take courage on thy way! He loves thee still, in all thy joys and fears. Though he whose smile made bright thine eyes of grey— Though he whose voice, uttering thy burthened years, Made laughter bubble through thy sea of tears Is gone, Dickens returns on Christmas Day! Theodore Watts-Dunton. CLXV SONG Oh, like a queen's her happy tread, We wandered where the river gleamed 'Neath oaks that mused and pines that dreamed. A wild thing of the woods she seemed, So proud, and pure, and free! All heaven drew nigh to hear her sing, The pines their reverie. And oh, her happy queenly tread, And oh, her queenly golden head! But oh, her heart, when all is said, W. Watson. |