Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

The letter, embassies, and spies, The frowns, and smiles, and flatteries, The quarrels, tears, and perjuries (Numberless, nameless mysteries!) And all the little lime-twigs laid By Machiavel the waiting-maid

I more voluminous should grow
(Chiefly if I like them should tell
All change of weathers that befell)
Than Holinshed or Stow.

But I will briefer with them be,
Since few of them were long with me.
An higher and a nobler strain
My present emperess does claim-
Heleonora, first of the name;

Whom God grant long to reign!

I lounge in the ilex shadows, I see the lady lean, Unclasping her silken girdle,

The curtain's folds between.

She smiles on her white-rose lover, She reaches out her hand

And helps him in at the window – I see it where I stand!

To her scarlet lip she holds him,
And kisses him many a time-
Ah, me! it was he that won her
Because he dared to climb!

THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH,

The Nun.

ABRAHAM COWLEY.

If you become a nun, dear,

A friar I will be;

In any cell you run, dear,

Pray look behind for me.
The roses all turn pale, too;
The doves all take the veil, too;

The blind will see the show; What! you become a nun, my dear, I'll not believe it, no!

If you become a nun, dear,
The bishop Love will be;

The Cupids every one, dear,

Will chant, "We trust in thee!"

The incense will go sighing,

The candles fall a dying,

The water turn to wine:

What! you go take the vows, my dear?

You may-but they'll be mine.

Crabbed Age and Youth.

CRABBED age and youth

Cannot live together:
Youth is full of pleasance,
Age is full of care;
Youth like summer morn,

Age like winter weather;
Youth like summer brave,
Age like winter bare.
Youth is full of sport,
Age's breath is short;

Youth is nimble, age is lame;
Youth is hot and bold,
Age is weak and cold;

Youth is wild, and age is tame.
Age, I do abhor thee,
Youth, I do adore thee;

O, my love, my love is young!

Age, I do defy thee;

O, sweet shepherd! hie thee,

For methinks thou stay'st too long.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

LEIGH HUNT.

Nocturne.

Up to her chamber window A slight wire trellis goes, And up this Romeo's ladder

Clambers a bold white rose.

The Maiden's Choice.

GENTEEL in personage,
Conduct and equipage;
Noble by heritage;

Generous and free;

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]
« ZurückWeiter »