Death darkens his eye, and unplumes his wings, A COLLOQUY WITH MYSELI BERNARD BARTON. As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, And myself replied to me; With their answers, I give to thee. Their responses the same should be, Or so much the worse for thee. What are Riches ? Hoarded treasures May, indeed, thy coffers fill; Leave thee poor and heartless still. What are Pleasures ? When afforded But by gauds which pass away, On the sea-sands yesterday. What is Fashion ? Ask of Folly, She her worth can best express. Go and learn of Idleness. What is Truth? Too stern a preacher For the prosperous and the gay! In Adversity's dark day. What is Friendship? If well founded, Like some beacon's heavenward glow : A COLLOQUY WITH MYSELF. 175 If on false pretensions grounded, Like the treacherous sand below. What is Love? If earthly only, Like a meteor of the night; Shining but to leave more lonely Hearts that hailed its transient light: But when calm, refined, and tender, Purified from passion's stain, Like the moon, in gentle splendor, Ruling o'er the peaceful main. What are Hopes, but gleams of brightness, Glancing darkest clouds between ? Gladdens ocean's darksome green. What are Fears? Grim phantoms, throwing Shadows o'er the pilgrim's way, Every moment darker growing, If we yield unto their sway. What is Mirth ? A flash of lightning, Followed but by deeper gloom. Sorrow's path, and labor's doom. What is Time? A river flowing To Eternity's vast sea, Forward, whither all are rowing, On its bosom bearing thee. What is Life ? A bubble floating On that silent, rapid stream; Few, too few, its progress noting, Till it bursts, and ends the dream. What is Death, asunder rending Every tie we love so well ? But the gate to life unending, Joy, in heaven! or woe, in hell ! Can these truths, by repetition, Lose their magnitude or weight ? Ere thou pass that fearful gate. Hast thou heard them oft repeated, Much may still be left to do: Live-as if thou knewest them true. As I walked by myself, I talked to myself, And myself replied to me; With their answers, I've given to thee. Their responses the same should be, Or so much the worse for thee, SAINT PHILIP NERI AND THE YOUTH. DR. BYROM. Saint PHILIP NERI, as old readings say, Saint. Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome ? THE CHAMELEON. 177 Saint. Well; and how then ? Why, then, for aught I know, Be it som Why, cardinal's a high degree- Why, who can say And triple crown, what follows after that? Upon this earth that wishing can procure : As long as God shall please, then I must die. But wish, and hope, and may be all the rest ! THE CHAMELEON. MERRICK. OFT has it been my lot to mark Sir, if my judgment you'll allow- Two travellers of such a cast, “ Hold there! " the other quick replies, “ I've seen it, sir, as well as you, “ 'Tis green ! 'tis green, sir, I assure ye.” “Green !” cries the other, in a fury: Why, sir, d'ye think I've lost my eyes ?" " 'Twere no great loss,” the friend replies ; “For if they always serve you thus, You'll find them but of little use." So high at last the contest rose, |