But, ah! as thistles on the blast From every garden bed are cast, And fade on dreary wastes at last, So die bachelors. Then, Thomas, change that grublike skin, Your butterfly career begin, And fly, and swear that 'tis a sin To be a bachelor. 1 E. W. C. SONNET. 'TWAS at the very acme of her power That Rome received the touch of that small stone, Destined to overturn her. At the hour, When by his resurrection God made known The Son whom he had chosen to bear rule Over the nations; of the then known world Great Rome was mistress. Banner was there none Against her majesty on earth unfurl'd. Only a still small voice was gently heard, Which spoke, at first in parables, 'gainst all Standing opposed to God. Thus ran the word : "Jerusalem is falling; Rome shall fall.” Jerusalem was anger'd. Haughty Rome Heard not, or laugh'd; but both have felt their doom. F. G. LINES WRITTEN IN THE ALCOVE AT CAVERSHAM PARK. BY SIR THOMAS ELMSLEY CROFT, BART. THOU who from worldly cares wouldst fain retreat, On the fair propect that before thee lies; So shall kind nature shed her choicest balm Thine every sense to please, and every passion calm. Hark! the ever-vagrant bee Soothes thee with her melody, Hark! the stockdove's tender voice And many a rural sound salutes the ear, See what ranks of fragrant flowers, Mingled with carnations' bloom, All around its perfume sheds ; Waving, blend their odorous breath. Fann'd by the gale, pours forth its sweetest scent. Look above the feathery pine And its tresses interweaves With the laurel's varnish'd leaves : Soft sounds, rich fragrance, prospects bright Then thou, who wouldst from worldly cares retreat, Seek this alcove-recline upon its seat, And gaze at leisure, with enchanted eyes, On the fair landscape that before thee lies; For here kind Nature sheds her choicest balm, Thine every sense to please, and every passion calm. ELTHAM BARN. This interesting relic of feudal magnificence is situated close to the village of Eltham, in Kent, where the early monarchs of England had a noble palace, and where they occasionally held their courts. The ruin, here more particularly alluded to, was the great Banqueting Hall: it is of spacious dimensions, exhibiting considerable beauty in respect to the style of its architecture, and is covered with an oaken roof, similar in character to those of Crosby and Westminster halls. Its present application is to the services of a barn, calves' pen, and poultry house. WHAT stately remnant 'fore my sight appears, Behold the pile! and while, in humble guise, Reality is present to thine eyes, Invoke young fancy, till, with wizard pow'r, Strange contrast! See, where waving plumes draw near, While martial music swells upon the ear; Clang the loud cymbals, and the trumpets sound, How chang'd the scene! Where once th' enchanting song, And music peal'd in soothing strains along, But, slowly yielding to the stranger's thrust, |