At this, Southey begging the Deity's ear-
"I know," interrupted Apollo, "'tis Frere: "*
And Scott put a word in, and begg'd to propose-
"I'll drink him with pleasure." said Phœbus,

Rose."t

'tis

Then talking of lyrics, he call'd upon Moore,
Who sung such a song, that they shouted "Encore!"
And the God was so pleas'd with his taste and his tone,
He obey'd the next call, and gave one of his own,—
At which you'd have thought,-('twas so witching a
warble,)

The guests had all turn'd into listening marble;
The wreaths on their temples grew brighter of bloom,
As the breath of the Deity circled the room;
And the wine in the glasses went rippling in rounds,
As if follow'd and fann'd by the soft-winged sounds.

* See the admirable version from the Spanish, at the end of Mr. Southey's Chronicle of the Cid.

The abridger of Casti's Animali Parlanti, and imitator of Berni.

Thus chatting and singing they sat till eleven, When Phoebus shook hands, and departed for heaven; "For poets," he said, "who would cherish their powers, And hop'd to be deathless, must keep to good hours." So off he betook him the way that he came,

And shot up the north, like an arrow of flame;
For the Bear was his inn; and the comet, they say,
Was his tandem in waiting to fetch him away.

The others then parted, all highly delighted; And so shall I be, when you find me invited.

MISCELLANEOUS PIECES.

MISCELLANEOUS PIECES.

MAHMOUD.*

THERE came a man, making his hasty moan

Before the Sultan Mahmoud on his throne,

And crying out" My sorrow is my right,

And I will see the Sultan, and to-night."

66

Sorrow," said Mahmoud, " is a reverend thing:

I recognize its right, as king with king;

* This is Mahmoud the Gaznevide, whose history has been told by Gibbon. The version of the noble and affecting adventure, here repeated, was suggested by a perusal of it in Gibbon's authority, the Bibliotheque Orientale of D'Herbelot, a book to which the author takes this opportunity of expressing his gratitude for many an hour of comfort.

M