Part 92 (1/2)

He could not know in Pimlico, As little she in Seville, That _I_ should reel upon that peel, And--wish them at the devil!

_Frederick Locker-Lampson._

ELEGY

The jackals prowl, the serpents hiss In what was once Persepolis.

Proud Babylon is but a trace Upon the desert's dusty face.

The topless towers of Ilium Are ashes. Judah's harp is dumb.

The fleets of Nineveh and Tyre Are down with Davy Jones, Esquire And all the oligarchies, kings, And potentates that ruled these things Are gone! But cheer up; don't be sad; Think what a lovely time they had!

_Arthur Guiterman._

OUR TRAVELLER

If thou would'st stand on Etna's burning brow, With smoke above, and roaring flame below; And gaze adown that molten gulf reveal'd, Till thy soul shudder'd and thy senses reel'd: If thou wouldst beard Niag'ra in his pride, Or stem the billows of Propontic tide; Scale all alone some dizzy Alpine _haut_, And shriek ”Excelsior!” among the snow: Would'st tempt all deaths, all dangers that may be-- Perils by land, and perils on the sea; This vast round world, I say, if thou wouldst view it-- Then, why the d.i.c.kens don't you go and do it?

_Henry Cholmondeley-Pennell._

OPTIMISM

Be brave, faint heart, The dough shall yet be cake; Be strong, weak heart, The b.u.t.ter is to come.

Some cheerful chance will right the apple-cart, The devious pig will gain the lucky mart, Loquacity be dumb,-- Collapsed the fake.

Be brave, faint heart!

Be strong, weak heart, The path will be made plain; Be brave, faint heart, The bore will crawl away.

The upside down will turn to right side up, The stiffened lip compel that slipping cup, The doldrums of the day Be not in vain.

Be strong, weak heart!

Be brave, faint heart, The jelly means to jell; Be strong, weak heart, The hopes are in the malt.

The wrong side in will yet turn right side out, The long-time lost come down yon cormorant spout.

Life still is worth her salt: What ends well's well.

Be brave, faint heart!

_Newton Mackintosh._

THE DECLARATION