Memorials of Theophilus Trinal, Student By Thomas T. Lynch. Third Edition, Enlarged |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
MR. SIMPLE AND THE LADY. |
| XV. |
 | CHAPTER XIV. Memorials of Theophilus Trinal, Student |  |
MR. SIMPLE AND THE LADY.
An Album is the one thing white
Of which I cannot bear the sight,
Although a person most polite.
Of which I cannot bear the sight,
Although a person most polite.
Bold in ability to tease,
The crafty owner, quite at ease,
Says, “Mr. Simple, if you please,
The crafty owner, quite at ease,
Says, “Mr. Simple, if you please,
“I hope you'll be so very kind,
At the first leisure that you find,
To write just what you feel inclined,
At the first leisure that you find,
To write just what you feel inclined,
“In my poor book: I'll only plead
For a few verses, so you need
Not the least trouble take, indeed.”
For a few verses, so you need
Not the least trouble take, indeed.”
Does Madam think that verses grow
Coolly as snowdrops in the snow,
Whether the season smiles or no?
Coolly as snowdrops in the snow,
Whether the season smiles or no?
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Can I, industrious or lazy,
Bloom any where, just like a daisy,
Whether the days be bright or hazy?
Bloom any where, just like a daisy,
Whether the days be bright or hazy?
Or poems yield when ladies beg,
Each perfect as a new-laid egg,
By screwing up my brains a peg?
Each perfect as a new-laid egg,
By screwing up my brains a peg?
Or is my head a thistle-crown,
The prickly thoughts that make me frown,
To soften into floating down?
The prickly thoughts that make me frown,
To soften into floating down?
Lady, if verse I must compose,
Then I will tell you of a rose
That sometimes in my garden grows.
Then I will tell you of a rose
That sometimes in my garden grows.
Red is it when it opens first,
But scarce has into blossom burst,
When, like a heart in cares immersed,
But scarce has into blossom burst,
When, like a heart in cares immersed,
Its blushing hues become less bright,
And soon the red has faded quite,
And left it like an Album—white.
And soon the red has faded quite,
And left it like an Album—white.
But, oh! how sweet its leaves, no sweeter
A lady's Album leaves that greet her,
When old affections come to meet her.
A lady's Album leaves that greet her,
When old affections come to meet her.
The blush that on the flower shone
Has paled, while still the rose blooms on,
But fragrance lasts when both are gone.
Has paled, while still the rose blooms on,
But fragrance lasts when both are gone.
So life outlives its own decays;
But goodness has yet higher praise,
For through, and after, life it stays.
But goodness has yet higher praise,
For through, and after, life it stays.
| CHAPTER XIV. Memorials of Theophilus Trinal, Student | |