386 MADAME LOFTY. The parrot learned to call me "Fool!" What d'ye think of that, my cat? I never had a coin to spend! Each Sunday night we gave a rout What d'ye think of that, my cat? Now was not that an awful dream What d' ye think of that, my cat? MADAME LOFTY. ADAME LOFTY keeps a carriage, So do I; She has dappled grays to draw it, She's no prouder of her coachman MADAME LOFTY. With my blue-eyed laughing baby I hid his face, lest she should see Her fine husband has white fingers, He can give his bride a palace, Hers comes home beneath the starlight; Mine comes in the purple twilight, And prays that he who turns life's sands, Madame Lofty has her jewels, She wears hers upon her bosom, She will leave hers at death's portals, I shall bear the treasure with me For I have love and she has gold; She counts her wealth, mine can't be told. She has those who love her station, But I've one true heart beside me ; I'd not exchange it for a kingdom, God will weigh it in the balance And then the difference he'll define 'Twixt Madame Lofty's wealth and mine. 387 388 THE DYING BRIGAND. THE DYING BRIGAND. HE stood before the dying man, Sand her eye grew wildly bright "Ye will not pause for a woman's ban, Look, dastards!-how the brave can die- "By his blood you have tracked him to his lair!— He that durst harm one single hair But my aim is sure, and the shaft may fly,-- "Yet leave me, while dim life remains, To list his parting sigh; To kiss away those gory stains, Ye will not! no-he triumphs still, "His was the power that held in thrall, A bandit-chief to dwell; How he avenged his slighted worth, Ye, cravens, best may tell! "His spirit lives in the mountain breath, THE GLADIATOR. Rock-stream-hath done the work of death Yon deep ravine—the grave!— That which hath been again may be !— Ah! by yon fleeting sun, Who stirs, no morning ray shall see— Defiance shone in her flashing eye, But her heart beat wild with fear- And the death-damp chills her brow ;- THE GLADIATOR.-JONES. HEY led a lion from his den, THE The lord of Afric's sun-scorched plain; And there he stood, stern foe of men, And shook his flowing mane. His bright eye nought of lightning lacked; They brought a dark-haired man along, Whose limbs with gyves of brass were bound; A dark eye, such as courts the path Then shouted the plebeian crowd,- A voice," Be the bold man unbound! 389 390 THE GLADIATOR. And, by Rome's sceptre, yet unbowed, Joy was upon that dark man's face; And thus, with laughing eye, spake he; 'He has a martial heart,' thou sayest ;- A hero, when he fights for life, For home and country, babes and wife!" And he has bared his shining blade, And springs he on the shaggy foe; His long and loud death-howl is made; "Kneel down, Rome's emperor beside!" He knelt, that dark man;-o'er his brow Was thrown a wreath in crimson dyed; And fair words gilt it now: "Thou art the bravest youth that ever tried To lay a lion low; And from our presence forth thou go'st To lead the Dacians of our host." |