Snatch half a glimpse at Concert, Opera, Ball,
A meteor, traced by none, tho' seen by all ;
And, when her shattered nerves forbid to roam,
In very spleen—rehearse the girls at home.

Last the grey Dowager, in ancient flounces,
With snuff and spectacles the age denounces ;
Boasts how the Sires of this degenerate Isle
Knelt for a look, and duelled for a smile.
The scourge

and ridicule of Goth and Vandal,
Her tea she sweetens, as she sips, with scandal ;
With modern Belles eternal warfare wages,
Like her own birds that clamour from their cages ;
And shuffles round to bear her tale to all,
Like some old Ruin, “ nodding to its fall !”

Thus Woman makes her entrance and her exit; Not least an actress when she least suspects it. Yet Nature oft peeps out and mars the plot, Each lesson lost, each poor pretence forgot ; Full oft, with energy that scorns controul, At once lights up the features of the soul; Unlocks each thought chained down by coward Art, And to full day the latent passions start ! -And she, whose first, best wish is your applause, Herself exemplifies the truth she draws.

Born on the stage—thro' every shifting scene,
Obscure or bright, tempestuous or serene,
Still has your smile her trembling spirit fired!
And can she act, with thoughts like these inspired?
Thus from her mind all artifice she flings,
All skill, all practice, now unmeaning things !
To you, unchecked, each genuine feeling flows ;
For all that life endears—to you she owes.

ON .. ASLEEP.

SLEEP on, and dream of Heaven awhile.
Tho' shut so close thy laughing eyes,
Thy rosy lips still wear a smile,
And move, and breathe delicious sighs !

Ah, now soft blushes tinge her cheeks,
And mantle o'er her neck of snow.
Ah, now she murmurs, now she speaks
What most I wish—and fear to know.

She starts, she trembles, and she weeps ! Her fair hands folded on her breast. -And how like a saint she sleeps ! A seraph in the realms of rest !

now,

Sleep on secure! Above controul,
Thy thoughts belong to Heaven and thee !

the secret of thy soul Remain within its sanctuary !

And

may

FROM A GREEK EPIGRAM.

While on the cliff with calm delight she kneels,
And the blue vales a thousand joys recall,
See, to the last, last verge her infant steals !
O fly-yet stir not, speak not, lest it fall.

Far better taught, she lays her bosom bare, And the fond boy springs back to nestle there.

FROM EURIPIDES.

Chere is a streamlet issuing from a rock.
The village-girls, singing wild madrigals,
Dip their white vestments in its waters clear,
And bang them to the sun.

There first I saw her;
There on that day. Her dark and eloquent eyes
'Twas heaven to look upon ; and her sweet voice,
As tuneable as harp of many strings,
At once spoke joy and sadness to

my

soul!

Dear is that valley to the murmuring bees;
And all, who know it, come and come again.
The small birds build there; and, at summer-noon,
Oft have I heard a child, gay among flowers,
As in the shining grass she sate concealed,
Sing to herself.

N