THE MAIDEN’S COMPLAINT AGAINST LOVE.

———

BY ENNA DUVAL.

———

Once, on a sunny day,

Love came to dwell with me,

I stroked his downy wings,

And gave him kisses free.

How joyous sped the hours,

While Love with me did stay;

The fluttering tiny thing,

Drove Care’s dark form away.

I laughed, I danced, I sang—

How mad and wild my glee,

While blesséd little Love

Dwelt willingly with me.

Alas! one gloomy morn,

The wicked, willful fay,

That I so fondly cherished,

Took wing and fled away.

I shed sad, bitter tears,

While Care looked on with scorn;

At last I sped to Venus,

To tell my grievous wrong.

The goddess frowned upon me,

And Psyche blushing wept,

When saucy little Cupid

My charges sad thus met.

“She wearied me with kisses,

And held me pris’ner fast,

Blame not, O mother Venus,

I broke her bonds at last.”

Dallas. BRIGHTLY, SC.

“THE SMOKER.”

See Page 410.

GOLD FISH.