ur_ two-and-twenties bide above,
While mine--I'm in the sere and yellow--
But I was once the model of
A fellow.)

"_My line of head is vague; now quite_
_Down in the depths, now past the skyline"--_
Hard lines! The line that sways a kite
Is my line.

"_My line of heart is insecure_--"
Let "_x_" be hearts; to render scarce "_x_,"
Let "I"-s divide it; _eyes_ are your
Unfair sex.

"_My love will ne'er endure_:" you wrong
My passion: sooth, it will, if you're it:
Yet stay: to wed?--I couldn't long
Endure it.

"_My line of life is slurred and queer_."
It always was--a hankey-pankey
Of glories missed--a fine career,
But _manque_.

So there, forbear to spell my fate;
I've saved you that sibylline trouble;
You could but this true estimate
Redouble.

Still, if you clasp my hand, and plead,
And, pouting, claim your second-sight, it
May chance that though you may not read,
You'll _write_ it.

* * * * *

WAS, IS, AND WILL BE.

(_THREE PERIODS OF BIOGRAPHY._)

PAST (_Historical_).--General SIMEON SNOOKES was one of the greatest
Commanders that ever figured in an European war. His defence of
Herren-Bayoz, in 1796, will be long remembered by those of his
grateful countrymen who feared that the Corsican upstart would get
the upper hand in the semi-fraternal struggle in the Portugo-Hispanian
Peninsula. A service nearly as important was performed when SNOOKES
(then a Colonel), led the forlorn hope that gave PEGGE WELL BEY (the
Turkish conqueror) into the grasping hands of the British Government.
Yet still another victory was scored when Captain SNOOKES forced the
gates of Ram and Mar, and brought the proud Earls of the Five Free
Ports to their knees and their senses. That he should have received
the freedom of the City of London was as it should have been, and it
must have been gratifying to his sorrowing friends and relatives that
Royalty itself should have been represented at his obsequies. His fame
as a victorious General will never fade, and although his private
life may have been uninteresting, his connection with the noble
family of DE SCROGGYNS will for ever gain for him the respect of his
fellow-countrymen.

PRESENT (_Anecdotal_).--General SNOOKES--better known in the last
century as "SIMPLE SIMON"--was a most interesting personage. Of
his