es
Have failed to perpetrate a capture)?

You never wrote to crave my fortune
That February! Bashful, may be,
Or over-fearful to importune
A _parti_ so renowned, you gaby!

Imprudent damsel, to let slip
So much _insouciance_ and money!
I bear no malice now, and dip
This goosequill not in gall, but honey,

I supplicate thee to be mine,
Bewitching Fair, thy lode-star mocking:
To sweetest vengeance I incline.
(Great Scott! the sacrifice is shocking!)

With you to share a gem unique,
My best possession, foolish MOLLY,
This is the penalty I seek,
Dear fool of Spring, dear spring of Folly!

Yet, ere I give myself away,
And abdicate on foolscap flimsy,
Let me implore you, mark the day--
Time-honoured feast of prank and whimsy.

Of my pet self, I offer half--
To gain it myriads have endeavoured,
So take it, _take my photograph
Inclosed, and most adroitly severed_.

* * * * *

THE TELEPHONIC LOVE-SONG.

["Lovemaking by telephone has now become quite
common."--_Daily Paper._]

Love, are you there? Most patiently I've waited
To hear the answering tinkle on my bell;
Have then the central offices belated
Not switched me on as yet to thy hotel?
Or is--oh, bitter thought!--a rival hated
Addressing thee by telephone as well?
Love, are you there? Distracted I repine;
Oh, hear thy humble four-nought-seven-nine!

Never three-five-nine-six have I addressed,
The number registered for Mrs. JONES,
Nor for six-eight-two-one the button pressed
To woo Miss BROWN in telephonic tones;
So grant, I pray, my moderate request,
Nor keep me waiting thus with aching bones,
My anxious ear pressed to the tube with care,
While vainly I re-echo, "Are you there?"

The suitor in the happier days of old,
When he would woo his lady-love divine,
Beneath her window his affection told
In skilful verse and neatly-balanced line;
And even if he sometimes caught a cold,
His was a less prosaic way than mine;
Then they'd embrace--no doubt it was not proper,
But I can only kiss a plate of copper!

Oh come, my love, and speak to me again,
Say that you live for my unworthy sake,
And kindly make each syllable quite plain,
To guard against all subsequent mistake;
And soon may fortune re-unite us twain,
Communication never more to break!
Take u