Alack for human loveliness
And for its little span!
Where's Belinda? Here, quite fresh,
Are still her gown and fan!
ARTHUR KETCHUM. Williams Literary Monthly.
~Confession and Avoidance.~
They say that you're a flirt at best,
And warn me to beware: your glances
Would make, they say, a treach'rous test
By which to gauge a fellow's chances.
And yet—I love you so! a throng
Of passions bid me speak to-day.
Ah! darling, tell me they are wrong!
Are you as heartless as they say?
Am I? well, so I have been told,
Though never yet have I confessed it;
But you, sir, seem so very bold
That I—well, I admit you've guessed it.
Alas! 'tis true I'm heartless; yes,
They're right, but only right in part;
The reason, dear, is—can't you guess?
Because—because you have my heart.
JOHN ALAN HAMILTON. Cornell Magazine.
~Clarissa Laughs.~
Clarissa laughs. I plead in vain,
She hears my suit with sweet disdain,
When I remind her—speaking low—
That once she did not flout me so,
She asks me—do I think 'twill rain?
Then when in anger I am fain
To leave her, swear I've naught to gain
By staying, save th'increase of woe,
Clarissa laughs.
Yet when I beg of her to deign
To answer, give it joy or pain,
She smiles. So then I cannot go,
For with her smiles my love doth grow.
Yet when I press my suit again,
Clarissa laughs.
RUTH PARSONS MILNE. Smith College Monthly.