Three dwarfs contended by a state decree, Which was the least and lightest of the three. First, Hermon came, and his vast skill to try, With thread in hand leap’d through a needle’s eye. Forth from a crevice Demas then advanc’d And on a spider’s web securely danc’d. What feat show’d Sospiter in this high quarrel?-- No eyes could see him, and he won the laurel. UNKNOWN AUTHOR _ON LATE-ACQUIRED WEALTH_ Poor in my youth, and in life’s later scenes Rich to no end, I curse my natal hour, Who nought enjoy’d while young, denied the means; And nought when old enjoy’d, denied the power. _A VOICE FROM THE GRAVE_ Phido nor hand nor touch to me applied; Fever’d, I thought but of his name--and died. _ON THE INCONSTANCY OF WOMAN’S LOVE_ My Fair says, she no spouse but me Would wed, though Jove himself were he. She says it: but I deem That what the fair to lovers swear Should be inscribed upon the air, Or in the running stream. CATULLUS _ON HIS OWN LOVE_ That I love thee, and yet that I hate thee, I feel; Impatient, thou bid’st me my reasons explain: I tell thee, nor more for my life can reveal, That I love thee, and hate thee--and tell it with pain. ALY BEN AHMED BEN MANSOUR _TO THE VIZIR CASSIM OBID ALLAH, ON THE DEATH OF ONE OF HIS SONS_ Poor Cassim! thou art doom’d to mourn By destiny’s decree; Whatever happen it must turn To misery for thee. Two sons hadst thou, the one thy pride, The other was thy pest; Ah, why did cruel death decide To snatch away the best? No wonder thou should’st droop with woe, Of such a child bereft; But now thy tears must doubly flow, For ah!--the other’s left. THE KHALIPH RADHI BILLAH _TO A LADY UPON SEEING HER BLUSH_ Leila! whene’er I gaze on thee My alter’d cheek turns pale, While upon thine, sweet maid, I see A deep’ning blush prevail. Leila, shall I the cause impart Why such a change takes place? The crimson stream deserts my heart, To mantle on thy face. JANUS PANNONIUS _ON AURISPA_ Aurispa nothing writes though learn’d, for he By a wise silence seems more learn’d to be. ACTIUS SANNAZARIUS _ON AUFIDIUS_