"'Tis time to roll"--"my needle's broke--" "So Martin's stock is selling;"- "Louisa's wedding-gown's bespoke--" "Lend me your scissors, Ellen." "_That_ match will never come about--" "Now don't fly in a passion;" "Hair-puffs, they say, are going out--" "Yes, curls are all in fashion." The quilt is done, the tea begun- The beaux are all collecting; The table's cleared, the music heard- His partner each selecting. The merry band in order stand, The dance begins with vigor; And rapid feet the measure beat, And trip the mazy figure. Unheeded fly the moments by, Old Time himself seems dancing, Till night's dull eye is op'd to spy The steps of morn advancing. Then closely stowed, to each abode, The carriages go tilting; And many a dream has for its theme The pleasures of the Quilting. Fitz-Greene Halleck A FRAGMENT His shop is a grocer's--a snug, genteel place, Near the corner of Oak Street and Pearl; He can dress, dance, and bow to the ladies with grace, And ties his cravat with a curl. He's asked to all parties--north, south, east and west, That take place between Chatham and Cherry, And when he's been absent full oft has the "best Society" ceased to be merry. And nothing has darkened a sky so serene, Nor disordered his beauship's Elysium, Till this season among our _elite_ there has been What is called by the clergy "a schism." 'Tis all about eating and drinking--one set Gives sponge-cake, a few kisses or so, And is cooled after dancing with classic sherbet "Sublimed" [see Lord Byron] "with snow." Another insists upon punch and _perdrix_, Lobster salad, champagne, and, by way Of a novelty only, those pearls of our sea, Stewed oysters from Lynn-Haven Bay. Miss Flounce, the young milliner, blue-eyed and bright, In the front parlor over her shop, "Entertains," as the phrase is, a party to-night Upon peanuts and ginger pop. And Miss Fleece, who's a hosier and not quite as young, But is wealthier far than Miss Flounce, She "entertains" also to-night, with cold tongue, Smoked herring and cherry bounce. In praise of cold water the Theban bard spoke, He of Teos sang sweetly of wine; Miss Flounce is a Pindar in cashmere and cloak, Miss Fleece an Anacreon divine. The Montagues carry the day in Swamp Place, In Pike Street the Capulets reign; A _limonadiere_ is the badge of one race, Of the other a flask of champagne. Now as each the same evening her _soiree_ announces, What better, he asks, can be done, Than drink water from eight until ten with the Flounces, And then wine with the Fleeces till one! DOMESTIC HAPPINESS "Beside the nuptial curtain bright," The Bard of Eden sings; "Young Love his constant lamp will light And wave his purple wings." But raindrops from the clouds of care May bid that lamp be dim, And the boy Love will pout and swear, 'Tis then no place for him.