In the morning by fears riven, though against them I had striven, That the penalty was heavy I in no way could ignore. But my case being duly stated, I was most severely rated, And within the college gated, gated till the term was o’er, Ne’er to wander forth at even till the weary term was o’er, Only this, and nothing more. P. G. S. Wadham College, Oxford, Nov., 1884. ――――:o:―――― THE (C)RAVEN STUDENT. Once upon a morning dreary, through my lodging window smeary, Came the cold and blacks and street-cries making getting up a bore! And I wished I still were napping: suddenly I heard a tapping, As of some one pertly rapping, rapping at my chamber door! “’Tis,” growled I, “that maid of all-work rapping at my chamber-door―― What on earth can it be for.” But too well do I remember that hungriest, dreariest November; Not a single blessèd ember cast its glow upon the floor, Nor dared I hope that on the morrow I could venture more to borrow On my books, which, to my sorrow, had been carried by the score “To my uncle’s,” by the slattern whom the Missis called Lenore―― Why, I could not say, I’m sure. And the shiv’ring, cold, uncertain rustling of each paper curtain Told me of a bleaker draught than I had ever felt before; So that, while to rise objecting, I turned again and lay reflecting, Through the crazy rattling sashes as the rain now came by dashes,―― I began to think the knocking at the panel of my door Was the wind, and nothing more. Soon again it came, and stronger; hesitating then no longer,―― “Girl,” I cried, “had you but listened, you could well have heard me snore, “For the fact is, I was napping when so rudely you came rapping; And if you again come tapping, tapping at my chamber door, I will give you such a slapping as you never had before!” Shrieked the maiden:――“Never, sure!” By the Author of “Flemish Interiors.” ――――:o:――――