And is this Nature's best design That human love be poor and bare, True faith be found not anywhere— I would myself this question spare— ‘Ah, me, is too much friendship wise?' ENVOIE Oh, Friendship, fickle, light as air, I'm still thy slave to idolise ; The cynic's wisdom I'll not share,— Nor ask-'Is too much friendship wise?' THE MONKEYS (A LECTURE) IN Holy Writ it is enjoined That men should love their brothers; I trust this lesson on your part For men and monkeys are the same If this be true, we sure must treat The structure of their tender frame You cannot help from seeing, Essentially is just the same As that of human being. They grin, they squabble, steal, and learn Tricks that are very naughty; And if you gave cigar and cane, Like gents they'd grow quite haughty. Whate'er the difference may be 'Twixt man and little monkey, I cannot see, no more than 'Tit' She loved him well, she led him forth To sylvan, leafy bowers; She beauty saw in his long ears, And wooed him with bright flowers. 'Tis true 'tis but a fairy scene Imaginative feeling Doth spread before us, yet we know With real life 'tis dealing. How many a woman good and fair, Intelligent and clever, A donkey for her idol makes, And worships him for ever. And if one raised the sorcerer's veil That Cupid's ever casting Before her eyes; though clear she sees, She loves to everlasting. And thus the world goes round and round, And matches human beings; Strange incongruities are found, And all by Fate's decreeings. THE MAIDEN'S CHOICE OR, THE AMERICAN GIRL IN ENGLAND OH, she was fair, as fair could be ; Her step was light, and quick, and free ; Her golden hair shone with bright hue, And roses bloomed 'neath eyes so blue. Oh, whom will this fair maiden wed, This maiden with the buoyant tread; Oh, whom will she in wedlock take, Whom now will she her husband make? How earnestly the young man wooed |