broke them into angles, irreconcilable alike to every rule of symmetry or purpose of accommodation. Near the ample hearth, stored with blazing wood, were placed a sculptured desk, furnished with a Missal and Breviary, gorgeously illuminated, and a black marble tripod, supporting a vase of holy-water certain amulets, too, lay on the hearth, placed there by the care of Dame Marguerite, some in the shape of relics, and others in less consecrated forms, on which the lady was often observed by her attendants to look somewhat disregardfully. The great door of the chamber was closed by the departing damsels carefully; and the rich sheet of tapestry dropt over it, whose hushful sweeping on the floor seemed like the wish for a deep repose breathed from a thing inanimate. The castle was still, the silver lamp twinkled silently and dimly; the perfumes, burning in small silver vases round the chamber, began to abate their gleams and odours; the scented waters, scattered on the rushes with which the floor was strewn, flagged and failed in their delicious tribute to the sense; the bright moon, pouring its glories through the uncurtained but richly-tinted casement, shed its borrowed hues of crimson, amber, and purple on curtain and canopy, as in defiance of the artificial light that gleamed so feebly within the chamber.

Rev. C. Maturin.

Her Benevolence.

Such multitudes she fed, she clothed, she nurst,
That she herself might fear her wanting first.

Of her five talents other five she made.

Nor did her alms from ostentation fall,
Or proud desire of praise,—the soul gave all ;
Unbribed it gave; or, if a bribe appear,

No less than heaven, to heap huge treasures there.

The distant heard, by fame, her pious deeds,
And laid her up for their extremest needs ;
A future cordial for a fainting mind,

For what was ne'er refused, all hoped to find,
Each in his turn: the rich might freely come,
As to a friend; but to the poor 'twas home.
As to some holy house, the afflicted came,
The hunger-starved, the naked, and the lame,—
Want and diseases fled before her name.

For zeal like hers her servants were too slow;
She was the first, where need required, to go;
Herself the foundress and attendant too.

Dryden.

A Blessing.

Blessing she is; God made her so;
And deeds of week-day holiness
Fall from her noiseless as the snow;
Nor hath she ever chanced to know

That aught were easier than to bless.

Lowell.

Her Blush.

O'er her warm cheek and rising bosom move,

The bloom of young Desire and purple light of Love.

Gray.

Her Blush Eloquent.

Her pure and eloquent blood

Spoke in her cheeks, and so distinctly wrought,
That one would almost say her body thought.

Her Bosom.

A bosom breathing balm.

Dr. Donne.

Gerald Massey.

Her bounteous breast that breathed magnificence,

And billow'd with proud blood.

Idem.

A Calculating One.

She that was ever fair, and never proud;
Had tongue at will, and yet was never loud ;
Never lack'd gold, and yet went never gay;
Fled from her wish, and yet said—" Now, I may."
She that, being anger'd, her revenge being nigh,
Bade her wrong stay, and her displeasure fly;
She that in wisdom never was so frail

To change the cod's head for the salmon's tail;

She that could think, and ne'er disclose her mind ; See suitors following, and not look behind.

Shakespeare.

Her Castles in the Air.

Once on a time, a rustic dame
(No matter for the lady's name),
Wrapp'd up in deep imagination,
Indulged her pleasing contemplation;
While on a bench she took her seat,
And placed the milk-pail at her feet;
Oft in her hand she chink'd the pence,
The profits which arose from thence ;
While fond ideas fill'd her brain,
Of layings up, and "monstrous" gain,
Till every penny which she told,
Creative fancy turn'd to gold;

And reasoning thus from computation,
She spoke aloud her meditation.

"Please Heaven but to preserve my health,

No doubt I shall have store of wealth;

It must of consequence ensue

I shall have store of lovers too.

Oh how I'll break their stubborn hearts,
With all the pride of female arts!

What suitors then will kneel before me!
Lords, earls, and viscounts shall adore me.
When in my gilded coach I ride,—
"My lady" at his "lordship's" side,
How will I laugh at all I meet
Clatt'ring in pattens down the street!
And Lobbin then I'll mind no more,
Howe'er I loved him heretofore;

Or, if he talks of plighted truth,
I will not hear the simple youth,
But rise indignant from my seat,
And spurn the lubber from my feet."
Action, alas! the speaker's grace,
Ne'er came in more improper place,
For in the tossing forth her shoe,
What fancied bliss the maid o'erthrew !
While down at once with hideous fall,
Came lovers, wealth, and milk, and all.
Thus fancy ever loves to roam,
To bring the gay materials home;
Imagination forms the dream,

And accident destroys the scheme.

Lloyd.

Caution to.

Beware, fair maid, of mighty courtiers' oaths,
Take heed what gifts or favours you receive;
Let not the fading gloss of silken clothes

Dazzle your virtues, or your fame bereave:
For once but leave the hold

you

have of grace,

Who will regard your fortune or your face?

Each greedy hand will strive to catch the flower,
When none regard the stalk it grows upon;
Baseness desires the fruit still to devour,
And leave the tree to stand or fall alone:
But this advice, fair creature, take of me,
Let none take fruit unless he'll have the tree.