UNFLEDGED. Kisses and welcome you'll find here before you, And the oftener you come here the more I'll adore you! THE CHESS-BOARD. My little love, do you remember, Our fingers touch; our glances meet, Ah me! the little battle's done: Disperst is all its chivalry. Full many a move, since then, have we 'Mid life's perplexing checkers made, And many a game with Fortune played: THE ROYAL GUEST. What is it we have won ? This, this at least if this alone: As in those old still nights of yore, ROBERT BULWER LYTTON. THE ROYAL GUEST. THEY tell me I am shrewd with other men; If other guests should come, I'd deck my hair, For them I while the hours with tale or song, ALL'S WELL. O friend beloved! I sit apart and dumb, My lip will falter, but my prisoned heart Thou art to me most like a royal guest, Whose travels bring him to some lowly roof And, blushing, own it is not good enough. Bethink thee then, whene'er thou com'st to me From high emprise and noble toil to rest, My thoughts are weak and trivial, matched with thine; But the poor mansion offers thee its best. JULIA WARD HOWE. ALL'S WELL. "ALL'S WELI.! - How the musical sound Smites, surge-like, the slumbering ear, As the sentinel paces his round, And carols his tidings of cheer! On the dream he was dreaming of home: "All's Well!" ALL'S WELL. "All's Well!" -Through the lengthening lines With dreamy responses is stirred: It ripples, then vanishes quite In the infinite deeps of the sky: "All's Well!" "All's Well!" In the warfare of life Does my soul like a sentinel stand, Prepared to encounter the strife, With well burnished weapon in hand? While the senses securely repose, And doubt and temptation have room, Does the keen ear of conscience unclose? Does she listen, and catch through the gloom : "All's Well?" "All's Well!" Can I echo the word? Does faith with a sleepless control Bid the peaceful assurance be heard In the questionless depths of my soul? Then fear not, frail heart! when the scars Of the brave-foughten combat are past, Clear voices that fall from the stars Will quiet thee on to the last: "All's Well !" MARGARET J. PRESTON. |