"ONE FOOT ON SEA, AND ONE ON

66

SHORE."

H tell me once and tell me twice

And tell me thrice to make it plain,

When we who part this weary day,

When we who part shall meet again."

"When windflowers blossom on the sea
And fishes skim along the plain,
Then we who part this weary day,
Then you and I shall meet again."

"Yet tell me once before we part,
Why need we part who part in pain?

If flowers must blossom on the sea,
Why, we shall never meet again.

"My cheeks are paler than a rose,

My tears are salter than the main,

My heart is like a lump of ice

If we must never meet again."

"Oh weep or laugh, but let me be,
And live or die, for all's in vain ;
For life 's in vain since we must part,
And parting must not meet again

"Till windflowers blossom on the sea And fishes skim along the plain ;

Pale rose of roses let me be,

Your breaking heart breaks mine again."

BUDS AND BABIES.

A

MILLION buds are born that

never blow,

That sweet with promise lift a pretty head

To blush and wither on a barren bed

And leave no fruit to show.

Sweet, unfulfilled. Yet have I understood
One joy, by their fragility made plain :
Nothing was ever beautiful in vain,
Or all in vain was good.

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BOY JOHNNY.

“IF you'll busk you as a bride
And make ready,

It's I will wed you with a ring,
O fair lady."

FREAKS OF FASHION.

UCH a hubbub in the nests,

SUCH

Such a bustle and squeak!

Nestlings, guiltless of a feather,

Learning just to speak,

Ask "And how about the fashions?"

From a cavernous beak.

Perched on bushes, perched on hedges,

Perched on firm hahas,

Perched on anything that holds them,
Gay papas and grave mammas
Teach the knowledge-thirsty nestlings :

Hear the gay papas.

Robin says:

"A scarlet waistcoat

Will be all the wear,

Snug, and also cheerful-looking

For the frostiest air,

Comfortable for the chest too

When one comes to plume and pair."