For Maud grew broad and red and stout; Was more than he now could span. And he How that which in Maud was native grace And thought of the twins, and wished that they Looked less like the man who raked the hay On Muller's farm, and dreamed with pain And, looking down that dreary track, For, had he waited, he might have wed For there be women fair as she, Whose verbs and nouns do more agree. Alas for maiden! alas for judge! And the sentimental,—that's one-half "judge; For Maud soon thought the judge a bore, And the judge would have bartered Maud's fair face For more refinement and social grace. If, of all words of tongue and pen, More sad are these we daily see: "It is, but hadn't ought to be." AVITOR. AN AERIAL RETROSPECT. WHAT Was it filled my youthful dreams, What visions and celestial scenes Avitor! What fairy tales seemed things of course! The rock that brought Sindbad across, Calendar's own winged-horse! Avitor! How many things I took for facts,- And how he sealed his fate with wax! Avitor! The first balloons I sought to sail, Avitor! What made me launch from attic tall And watch their bitter, frightful fall ? Avitor? What youthful dreams of high renown My first ascent, I may not tell : Avitor! |