For each man, who is fooled and shamed By the smile of a flirty girl, The flash of an eye, or the fall Of an Alexandra curl, Feels a grief and rage at his heart, The softened breeze of eve, To return to what? Despair! To mourn on empty hearts, To sigh for naught but death. But yet the evening calm Much is it mine to do, Ere I know the bliss to die. IV. A hand on a window laid, A glass flashing out in the sun, A something fair has passed The parents of those young girls? Will they know me again? Ill health must excuse my neglect In not calling to inquire. They are honest people and plain, With good hearts, by the times refined; A welcome I know to expect, As hearty as one could desire. с Softly I ring the bell; The parents were not at home. The young ladies are somewhere about. I almost wish I were out. An opening door I perceive, (It was scarcely polite to sit down), My senses did not deceive, Some one has mounted the stair ; Rustled a stiff silk gown, There now! with my hat in my hand. V. 'Twas the mother who entered the room, Dressed in a dark brown silk One of Redmayne's best, and trimmed The pride of a Lyons' loom. She was young, nice-looking, and fair, A British matronly grace Just toned down a comely face, Framed in ringlets of nut-brown hair. She received me kindly, and grieved To hear I had been unwell; Wondered I had not called before, Knew I was busy studying law, Hoped all wished-for success achieved. It must be nearly a year Since she had seen me there, I replied lightly, and smiled; Remarked that the weather was mild, And summer probably near. Would I stay and dine? She felt sure I could not refuse. In the park she had been for a drive ; On an afternoon so fine. Her horses looked well this spring; For refreshments she would ring. I thanked her. I would stay, Well! had I anywhere been? Who had won the races to-day? Oh! it was just half-past five, I had better enjoy the air In the garden, blooming and fair, A walk appetite would revive. Her daughters were there, she believed, I should scarce know them again, They had grown so very tall; Last year they were quite small, Yes! they were there on the grass, |