BETWEEN the lovers all was blithe and gay,

When suddenly the friend, though far from day,

Was forced to rise ('twas plain a pressing case,)

And move the infant's cradle from its place,

To ope the door, and lest he noise might make,

Or any way by chance the child should wake,

He set it carefully beside his bed,

And (softly treading) to the garden sped.

ON his return he passed the cradle by;

To place it as before he would not try,