When the heart hath hopes and fears,
When the day-world disappears.

If the vine leaves rustle low,
If the moon shine on the sea,
If the night wind softly blow,--
Dreaming of what may not be,--
Well I know that I shall see
Your sweet eyes look down on me.

REDUCTIO AD ABSURDUM.

I had come from the city early
That Saturday afternoon;
I sat with Beatrix under the trees
In the mossy orchard; the golden bees
Buzzed over clover-tops, pink and pearly;
I was at peace, and inclined to spoon.

We were stopping awhile with mother,
At the quiet country place
Where first we'd met, one blossomy May,
And fallen in love--so the dreamy day
Brought to my memory many another
In the happy time when I won her grace.

Days in the bright Spring weather,
When the twisted, rough old tree
Showered down apple-blooms, dainty and sweet,
That swung in her hair, and blushed at her feet;
Sweet was her face as we lingered together,
And dainty the kisses my love gave me.

"Dear love, are you recalling
The old days, too?" I said.
Her sweet eyes filled, and with tender grace
She turned and rested her blushing face
Against my shoulder; a sunbeam falling
Through the leaves above us crowned her head.

And so I held her, trusting
That none was by to see;
A sad mistake--for low, but clear,
This feminine comment reached my ear:
"Married for ages--it's just disgusting--
Such actions--and, Fred, they've got our tree!"

THE MOTHERS OF THE SIRENS.

The debutantes are in force to-night,
Sweet as their roses, pure as truth;
Dreams of beauty in clouds of tulle;
Blushing, fair in their guileless youth.
Flashing bright glances carelessly--
Carelessly, think you! Wait and see
How their sweetest smile is kept for him
Whom "mother" considers a good _parti_.

For the matrons watch and guard them well--
Little for youth or love care they;
The man they seek is the man with gold,
Though his heart be black, and his hair be gray.
"Nellie, how _could_ you treat _him_ so!
You know very well he is Goldmore's heir,"
"Jennie, look modest! Glance down and blush,--
Here comes papa with young Millionaire."

On a cold, gray rock, in Grec