Page:Pleasant Memories.pdf/281

Yet is her courtesy forever bright,
    For still to princely halls and paintings gay
She, with glad heart and liberal hand, doth lead
    The stranger in, and cast his dole away,
Bidding him share, unvexed by venal guide,
Whate'er she counts most rare of elegance or pride.

Hence have I roamed at will her haunts of taste,
    Within her glorious Louvre sate me down,
Day after day, or when the spirit moved,
    Lingered mid lettered tomes, nor feared a frown,
Or sought the palace domes, which crown so high
This city of her boast, the apple of her eye.

Here too, I found, where fashion holds her court,
    With wealth and grace and intellect combined,
A form of beauty thrilled by impulse high,
    To warm and sleepless energy of mind,
A friend to cheer me on my stranger-way,
Whom grateful Memory loves, but never can repay.

Farewell, enchanting City, which doth hold
    Both eye and heart in strong Circean sway,
Bidding the buoyant spirit ne'er grow old,
    Though wintry years may turn the temples grey,
But seek for pleasure, till the funeral bell
Doth summon it to take of time a long farewell.