Judged by no o'erzealous rigour, And Silenus of excesses. These are ancient ethnic revels Now to rivulets from the mountains Claudius, though he sang of flagons Even Redi, though he chaunted Then with water fill the pitcher Wreathed about with classic fables; Ne'er Falernian threw a richer Light upon Lucullus' tables. Come, old friend, sit down and listen! As it passes thus between us, THE OLD CLOCK ON THE STAIRS. "L'éternité est une pendule, dont le balancier dit et redit sans cesse ces deux mots seulement, dans le silence des tombeaux: 'Toujours! jamais! Jamais! toujours!'" JACQUES BRIDAINE. SOMEWHAT back from the village-street Stands the old-fashioned country-seat. Across its antique portico Tall poplar-trees their shadows throw; And from its station in the hall An ancient timepiece says to all,— "For ever-never! Never for ever!" Halfway up the stairs it stands, And points and beckons with its hands From its case of massive oak, Like a monk, who, under his cloak, Crosses himself, and sighs, alas! With sorrowful voice to all who pass, "For ever -never! Never-for ever !" By day its voice is low and light; And seems to say, at each chamber-door, — "For ever-never! Never-for ever!" Through days of sorrow and of mirth, Of changeful time, unchanged it has stood, In that mansion used to be Free-hearted Hospitality ; His great fires up the chimney roared; But, like the skeleton at the feast, That warning timepiece never ceased,— "For ever- -never! Never-for ever!" There groups of merry children played, Even as a miser counts his gold, Those hours the ancient timepiece told,— "For ever-never! Never-for ever!" From that chamber, clothed in white, The bride came forth on her wedding night; There, in that silent room below, The dead lay in his shroud of snow; And in the hush that followed the prayer, Was heard the old clock on the stair, "For ever-never! Never-for ever!" All are scattered now and fled, As in the days long since gone by, The ancient timepiece makes reply,"For ever-never! Never-for ever!" Never here, for ever there, Where all parting, pain, and care, "For ever-never! THE ARROW AND THE SONG. I SHOT an arrow into the air, I breathed a song into the air, |