Part 18 (2/2)

Cependant j'ai quelques charmes Qui sont a.s.sez eclatants Pour n'avoir pas trop d'alarmes De ces ravages du temps.

Vous en avez qu'on adore, Mais ceux que vous meprisez Pourraient bien durer encore Quand ceux-la seront uses.

Ils pourront sauver la gloire Des yeux qui me semblent doux, Et dans mille ans faire croire Ce qu'il me plaira de vous.

Chez cette race nouvelle Ou j'aurai quelque credit, Vous ne pa.s.serez pour belle Qu'autant que je l'aurai dit.

Pensez-y, belle Marquise, Quoiqu'un grison fa.s.se effroi, Il vaut qu'on le courtise Quand il est fait comme moi.

The last four stanzas in particular are brimful of spirit, and the mixture of pride and vanity which they display is so remarkable that it seems impossible that it should have ever occurred in more than one person.”--_Sat.u.r.day Review, July 23rd, 1864._

NOTE TO ”THE ROSE AND THE RING.”

Mr. Thackeray spent a portion of the winter of 1854 in Rome, and while there he wrote his little Christmas story called ”The Rose and the Ring.” He was a great friend of the distinguished American sculptor, Mr. Story, and was a frequent visitor at his house. I have heard Mr.

Story speak with emotion of the kindness of Mr. Thackeray to his little daughter, then recovering from a severe illness, and he told me that Mr. Thackeray used to come nearly every day to read to Miss Story, often bringing portions of his ma.n.u.script with him.

Five or six years afterwards Miss Story showed me a very pretty copy of ”The Rose and the Ring,” which Mr. Thackeray had sent her, with a facetious sketch of himself in the act of presenting her with the work.

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