n,
Years since I knew them living yet.
And of this alone I am sure since then,--
That none has gained what he toiled to get.

For I keep strict watch on the world of art,
And George, with his wide, rich-dowered brain!
His fervent fancy, his ardent heart,
Though he greatly toiled, has toiled in vain.

And Fred, for all he may sparkle bright
In caustic column, in clever quip,
Of a truth must still be hiding his light
Beneath the bushel of journalship.

And dreamy Frank must be dreaming still,
Lounging through life, if yet alive,
Smoking his vast preposterous fill,
Lounging, smoking, striving to strive.

And I, the fourth in that old queer throng,
Fourth and least, as my soul avows,--
I alone have been counted strong,
I alone have the laurelled brows!

Well, and what has it all been worth?
May not my soul to my soul confess
That "succeeding," here upon earth,
Does not alway assume success?

I would cast, and gladly, from this gray head
Its crown, to regain one sweet lost year
With artist George, with splenetic Fred,
With dreamy Frank, with the pipes and beer!

EDGAR FAWCETT.

A BACHELOR'S INVOCATION.

When all my plans have come to grief,
And every bill is due,
And every faith that's worth belief
Has proved itself untrue;
And when, as now, I've jilted been
By every girl I've met,
Ah! then I flee for peace to thee,
My darling cigarette.

Hail, sorceress! whose cloudy spells
About my senses driven,
Alone can loose their prison cells
And waft my soul to heaven.
Above all earthly loves, I swear,
I hold thee best--and yet,
Would I could see a match for thee,
My darling cigarette.

With lips unstained to thee I bring
A lover's gentle kiss,
And woo thee, see, with this fair ring,
And this, and this, and this.
But ah, the rings no sooner cease
(Inconstant, vain coquette!)
Than, like the rest, thou vanishest
In smoke, my cigarette.

_Pall Mall Gazette_.

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