LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
[ PORTRAIT OF THE AUTHOR, BY J. E. MILLAIS, R.A. ] To face Title
[ THE JESTER ] On Title
[ THE JESTER'S MORAL ] 1
[ ON AN OLD MUFF ] 11
[ THE OLD OAK-TREE AT HATFIELD BROADOAK ] 25
[ OLD LETTERS ] 40
[ PICCADILLY ] 47
[ A WISH ] 64
[ THE OLD CRADLE ] 70
[ TO MY MISTRESS'S BOOTS ] 75
[ THE ROSE AND THE RING ] 78
[ THE RUSSET PITCHER ] 82
[ TAIL PIECE ] 86
[ MRS. SMITH ] 95
[ THE CASTLE IN THE AIR ] 112
[ THE LEGENDE OF SIR GYLES GYLES ] 127
[ ARCADIA ] 140
[ MR. PLACID'S FLIRTATION ] 149
[ THE ANGORA CAT ] 160
[ LITTLE PITCHER ] 167
THE JESTERS MORAL
I wish that I could run away
From House, and Court, and Levee:
Where bearded men appear to-day,
Just Eton boys grown heavy.—W. M. Praed.
Is human life a pleasant game
That gives a palm to all?
A fight for fortune, or for fame?
A struggle, and a fall?
Who views the Past, and all he prized,
With tranquil exultation?
And who can say, I've realised
My fondest aspiration?
Alas, not one! for rest assured
That all are prone to quarrel
With Fate, when worms destroy their gourd,
Or mildew spoils their laurel:
The prize may come to cheer our lot,
But all too late—and granted
'Tis even better—still 'tis not
Exactly what we wanted.