‘ONLY COUSINS, DON’T YOU SEE?’

Charming cousin, tell me where

Shall I find one half so fair?

Let me, as I taste thy lip,

Swear how sweet is cousinship.

Like a sister? Yes, no doubt;

Still, not sister out and out.

Who that ever had a sister,

Felt his heart beat when he kissed her?

Who by looking ever knew

That his sister’s eyes were blue?

Who in name of all the loves

Bets his sister pairs of gloves?

Charming cousin, still are you

Sister in a measure too.

We can act as pleases us,

No one thinks it dangerous;

Talk of love or of the weather,

Row or ride or read together,

Wander where we will alone,

Careless of a chaperon.

You may dance with none but me—

‘Only cousins, don’t you see?’

Cousins safely may forget

All the laws of etiquette.

Charming cousin, in your eyes

I can read a faint surprise;

Most bewitchingly they glisten

To my nonsense as they listen;

‘What can Harry mean to say?’

You may come to know some day.

Just one word, sweet cousin mine,

Ere we go to dress and dine:

If I ever chance to woo,

Cousin, she must be like you,

And the one who comes the nearest

To yourself will be the dearest;

Type of what my love must be,

Cousin, what if you are she?

J. Williams.

The Conductor of Chambers’s Journal begs to direct the attention of Contributors to the following notice:

1st. All communications should be addressed to the ‘Editor, 339 High Street, Edinburgh.’

2d. For its return in case of ineligibility, postage-stamps should accompany every manuscript.

3d. Manuscripts should bear the author’s full Christian name, Surname, and Address, legibly written; and should be written on white (not blue) paper, and on one side of the leaf only.

4th. Offerings of Verse should invariably be accompanied by a stamped and directed envelope.

If the above rules are complied with, the Editor will do his best to insure the safe return of ineligible papers.

Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh.