Page:Fugitive Poetry 1600-1878.djvu/582

Wit and Genius.

True wit is like the "brilliant stone
 Dug from the Indian mine,
Which boasts wo different powers in one—
 To cut as well as shine.
Genius, like that, if polished right,
 With the same gifts abounds,
Appears at once both keen and bright,
 And sparkles while it wounds.

Peggy's Will.

Kind Peggy kissed her husband with these words—
 "My own sweet Will, how dearly I love thee!"
"If true," quoth Will, "the world none such affords;
 And that 'tis true I dare her warrant be:
For ne'er was woman yet, or good or ill,
But always did love best her own sweet will."

The Empty "Gun."

As Dick and Tom in fierce dispute engage,
And face to face the noisy contest wage,
"Don't cock your chin at me," Dick smartly cries;
"Fear not, his head's not charged," a friend replies.

To a Pretended Friend and Real Enemy.

Thy hesitating tongue and doubtful face,
Show all thy kindness to be mere grimace.
Throw off the mask; at once be foe or friend;
'Tis base to soothe when malice is the end.
The rock that's seen gives the poor sailor dread,
But double terror that which hides its head.

The Peer and the Tinker.

A member of the modern great
 Passed Sawney with his budget;
The Peer was in a car of state,
 The Tinker forced to trudge it.