7291 RICHARD LOVELACE. RICHARD LOVELACE, an English dramatist and poet, born in Kent, 1618; died in London, 1658. He shone at the court of Charles I., and sacrificed liberty and fortune for that unhappy prince. His "Lucasta" is a collection of charming verse, “The Scholar" is a comedy of merit, and "The Soldier" is a tragedy. TO LUCASTA, ON GOING TO THE WARS. TELL me not, sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind True, a new mistress now I chase, And with a stronger faith embrace Yet this inconstancy is such As you too should adore : I could not love thee, dear, so much FROM THE GRASSHOPPER. O THOU that swing'st upon the waving ear Dropt thee from heaven, where now thou art reared, The joys of earth and air are thine entire, That with thy feet and wings dost hop and fly; And when thy poppy works thou dost retire Up with the day, the Sun thou welcom'st then, VOL. XIV. -1 SAMUEL LOVER. SAMUEL LOVER, an Irish poet and novelist, born at Dublin, Feb. 24, 1797; died at St. Heliers, July 6, 1868. He was intended for business, but became a painter and exhibited great facility in writing songs and sketches of Irish character. He published "Legends and Stories of Ireland," two series (1830-1834); "Rory O'More, a National Romance" (1837); "Songs and Ballads " (1839), including "The Low-Backed Car," "Widow Machree," "The Angel's Whisper," and "The Four-Leaved Shamrock"; "Handy Andy, an Irish Tale" (1842); "Treasure Trove" (1844); "Metrical Tales and Other Poems" (1859), besides a number of plays and operas. His Life and Unpublished Works, edited by B. Bernard, appeared in 1874. He was remarkable for his versatility, but his fame rests mainly upon his Irish songs and novels, which are full of humor and felicitous pictures of peasant life. WIDOW MACHREE. WIDOW machree, it's no wonder you frown, Och hone! widow machree: Faith, it ruins your looks, that same dirty black gown. How altered your air, With that close cap you wear "Tis destroying your hair, Which should be flowing free: Be no longer a churl Of its black silken curl, Och hone! widow machree! Widow machree, now the summer is come, Och hone! widow machree, When everything smiles, should a beauty look glum ? See, the birds go in pairs, And the rabbits and hares — Why, even the bears Now in couples agree. And the mute little fish, Though they can't spake, they wish,- Widow machree, and when winter comes in, To be poking the fire all alone is a sin, Sure the shovel and tongs To each other belongs, And the kettle sings songs Full of family glee; Och hone! widow machree! And how do you know, with the comforts I've towld, Och hone! widow machree, But you're keeping some poor fellow out in the cowld? With such sins on your head, That would wake you each night, Crying, "Och hone! widow machree!" Then take my advice, darling widow machree, And with my advice, faith, I wish you'd take me, You'd have me to desire, Then to stir up the fire; And sure Hope is no liar That the ghosts would depart Och hone! widow machree! |