FATA MORGANA. A blue-eyed phantom far before Is laughing, leaping toward the sun : Like lead I chase it evermore, I pant and run. It breaks the sunlight bound on bound: Goes singing as it leaps along To sheep-bells with a dreamy sound A dreamy song. I laugh, it is so brisk and gay; I hope I shall lie down some day, Lie down and sleep. "NO, THANK YOU, JOHN." I never said I loved you, John: Why will you teaze me day by day, And wax a weariness to think upon With always "do" and "pray?" You know I never loved you, John; No fault of mine made me your toast: Why will you haunt me with a face as wan As shows an hour-old ghost? I dare say Meg or Moll would take And pray don't remain single for my sake Who can't perform that task. I have no heart ?—Perhaps I have not; But then you're mad to take offence That I don't give you what I have not got : Let bygones be bygones: Don't call me false, who owed not to be true: I'd rather answer "No to fifty Johns Than answer "Yes" to you. Let's mar our pleasant days no more, Song-birds of passage, days of youth: Catch at to-day, forget the days before: I'll wink at your untruth. Let us strike hands as hearty friends ; No more, no less; and friendship's good: Only don't keep in view ulterior ends, And points not understood In open treaty. Rise above Quibbles and shuffling off and on : Here's friendship for you if you like; but love,— No, thank you, John. MAY. I cannot tell you how it was; But this I know it came to pass : Upon a bright and breezy day When May was young; ah, pleasant May! As yet the poppies were not born Between the blades of tender corn; The last eggs had not hatched as yet, I cannot tell you what it was ; |