The sapient Mr. L**G. The world of him Knows much, yet not one half so much as he Knows of the world. Up to its very brim The goblet of his mind is sparkling free With lore and learning. Had proud Sheba's queen, In all her bloom and beauty, but have seen XIII. This modern Solomon, the Israelite, Earth's monarch as he was, had never won her. He would have hang'd himself for very spite, And she, bless'd woman, might have had the honour Of some neat "paragraphs"--worth all the lays That Judah's minstrel warbled in her praise. XIV. Her star arose too soon; but that which sway'd Th' ascendant at our merchant's natal hour Was bright with better destiny--its aid Led him to pluck within the classic bower Of bulletins, the blossoms of true knowledge; And L**G supplied the loss of school and college. XV. For there he learn'd the news some minutes sooner Than others could; and to distinguish well The different signals, whether ship or schooner, Hoisted at Staten Island; and to tell The change of wind, and of his neighbour's fortunes, And, best of all--he there learn'd self-importance. XVI. Nor were these all the advantages derived From change of scene; for near his domicil, He of the pair of polish'd lamps then lived, And in my hero's promenades, at will, Could he behold them burning--and their flame Kindled within his breast the love of fame, XVII. And politics, and country; the pure glow Of patriot ardour, and the consciousness That talents such as his might well bestow A lustre on the city; she would bless His name; and that some service should be done her, He pledged "life, fortune, and his sacred honour." XVIII. And when the sounds of music and of mirth, Bursting from Fashion's groups assembled there, Were heard, as round their lone plebeian hearth Fanny and he were seated--he would dare To whisper fondly, that the time might come When he and his could give as brilliant routs at home. XIX. And oft would Fanny near that mansion linger, When the cold winter moon was high in heaven, And trace out, by the aid of Fancy's finger, Cards for some future party, to be given When she, in turn, should be a _belle_, and they Had lived their little hour, and pass'd away. XX. There are some happy moments in this lone And desolate world of ours, that well repay The toil of struggling through it, and atone For many a long, sad night and weary day. They come upon the mind like some wild air Of distant music, when we know not where, XXI.