THE SAGE'S WIT. As lately a sage on fine ham was repasting, (Though for breakfast too savoury, I ween,) He exclaim'd to a friend, who sat silent and fasting, "What a breakfast of learning is mine!" "A breakfast of learning!" with wonder he cried, And laugh'd, for he thought him mistaken; 66 Why, what is it else?" the sage quickly replied, "When I'm making large extracts from Bacon?" THE FORTUNATE DEFECT. How like is this picture, you'd think that it breathes! What life! what expression! what spirit! It wants but a tongue. 66 'Oh, no!" said the spouse, "That want is its principal merit." ON DAME IDA PFEIFFER. Through regions by wild men and cannibals haunted, Old Dame Ida Pfeiffer goes lone and undaunted; Eut, bless you, the risk's not so great as its reckon❜d, She's too plain for the first, and too tough for the Hannay. second. A VALENTINE. Frances Sargent Osgood. For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes, Brightly expressive as the twins of Leda, Shall find her own sweet name, that nestling lies Upon the page, enwrapped from every reader. Search narrowly the lines!- they hold a treasure Divine-a talisman-an amulet That must be worn at heart. Search well the measure The words the syllables! Do not forget Three eloquent words oft uttered in the hearing Like the knight Pinto-Mendez Ferdinando, Still form a synonym for Truth. Cease trying! You will not read the riddle, though you do the E. A. Poe. best you can do. ON THE ROYAL MARRIAGE ACT, 1772. To take the crown at eighteen years— "The mystery how shall we explain? For sure, as well 'twas said, Quoth Tom to Dick, "Thou art a fool, And little know'st of life Alas! 'tis easier to rule A kingdom than a wife!" THE VOWELS. We are little airy creatures, All of different voice and features; One of us in glass is set, Swift. ON A PICTURE OF CHARLES THE SECOND. Whose faith no man relies on! Nor ever did a wise one. DECLINED WITH THANKS. A correspondent, something new Rochester. Transmitting, sign'd himself "X. Q.;" And begg'd he might be X. Q. Z. TO PHILLIS. Phillis, you little, rosy rake! That heart of yours I long to rifle ; LIGHT-FINGERED JACK. Jack, who thinks all his own that once he handles, For practice-sake, purloin'd a pound of candles; Was taken in the act. Ah! thoughtless wight! To steal such things as needs must come to light. AN UNFAVOURABLE TRIAL. "Nay, prithee, dear Thomas, ne'er rave thus and curse, Remember you took me for better, for worse;" "I know it," quoth Thomas; madam, look you, "but then, You prove, upon trial, much worse than I took you." ON RECEIVING A PRESENT OF A BRACE OF WOODCOCKS. My thanks I'll no longer delay For birds which you've shot with such skill; But though there was nothing to pay, Yet each of them brought in a bill! I mean not, my friend, to complain, CARDINAL WOLSEY. Begot by Butchers, but by Bishops bred How high his Honour holds his haughty head. |