FAMINE. Whisper it, sister! so and so! In a dark hint, soft and slow. SLAUGHTER. Letters four do form his name And who sent you? Both. The same! the same! SLAUGHTER. He came by stealth, and unlocked my den, Both. Who bade you do it? SLAUGHTER. The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried, Halloo! FAMINE. Thanks, sisters, thanks! the men have bled, Their wives and their children faint for bread. I stood in a swampy field of battle; With bones and skulls I made a rattle, To frighten the wolf and carrion-crow And the homeless dog-but they would not go. Both. Whisper it, sister! in our ear. FAMINE. A baby beat its dying mother: I had starved the one and was starving the other! Both. Who bade you do it? FAMINE. The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried, Halloo! FIRE. Sisters! I from Ireland came! To see the sweltered cattle run With uncouth gallop through the night, The house-stream met the flame and hissed, On some of those old bed-rid nurses, That deal in discontent and curses. Both. Who bade you.do it? FIRE. The same! the same! Letters four do form his name. He let me loose, and cried, Halloo ! All. He let us loose, and cried, Halloo! FAMINE. Wisdom comes with lack of food. SLAUGHTER. They shall tear him limb from limb! L 1796. FIRE. O thankless beldames and untrue! Cling to him everlastingly. II. LOVE POEMS. "Quas humilis tenero stylus olim effudit in ævo. Frons alia est, moresque alii, nova mentis imago, Pectore nunc gelido calidos miseremur amantes, LOVE. LL thoughts, all passions, all delights Oft in my waking dreams do I The moonshine, stealing o'er the scene, |