66 'Then, ay, then he shall kneel low, With the red-roan steed anear him Which shall seem to understand, Till I answer, Rise and go! For the world must love and fear him "Then he will arise so pale, I shall feel my own lips tremble Nathless maiden-brave, Farewell,' 'Light to-morrow with to-day!' "Then he'll ride among the hills "Three times shall a young foot-page Swim the stream and climb the mountain And kneel down beside my feet 'Lo, my master sends this gage, Lady, for thy pity's counting! What wilt thou exchange for it?' "And the first time I will send From my pride, and answer - Pardon, my love.' "Then the young foot-page will run, 'I am a duke's eldest son, "He will kiss me on the mouth Then, and lead me as a lover Through the crowds that praise his deeds: And, when soul-tied by one troth, Unto him I will discover That swan's nest among the reeds." Little Ellie, with her smile Not yet ended, rose up gaily, Tied the bonnet, donned the shoe, And went homeward, round a mile, What more eggs were with the two. Pushing through the elm-tree copse, Ellie went home sad and slow. With his red-roan steed of steeds, Sooth I know not; but I know She could never show him-never, That swan's nest among the reeds! E. B. BROWNING. The Three Sailors There were three sailors in Bristol city, But first with beef and captains' biscuit, There was guzzling Jack and gorging Jimmy, And the youngest he was little Bil-ly. Now very soon they were so greedy, Says guzzling Jack to gorging Jimmy, Says gorging Jim to guzzling Jacky, Says guzzling Jack to gorging Jimmy, There's little Bill as is young and tender, Oh! Bill, we're going to kill and eat you, When Bill he heard this information, Oh! let me say my catechism, As my poor mammy taught to me. Make haste, make haste, says guzzling Jacky, Whilst Jim pulled out his snicker-snee. So Bill went up the main top-gallant mast, He scarce had said his catechism, "There's Jerusalem and Madagascar, And North and South Ameri-key. "There's the British fleet a-riding at anchor, With Admiral Napier, K.C.B." So when they came to the Admiral's vessel, He hanged fat Jack, and flogged Jim-my. But as for little Bill, he made him The captain of a Seventy-three. W. M. THACKERAY. |