I love her, stately as a queen Whom VERONESE might have painted, Blue-eyed, with hair of golden sheen-- That's just the one thing which has been A trouble since we've been acquainted. I love not charms I loved before, Dark as the night, or, say a hearse is. Now auburn beauty pleases more, My wasted hours I deplore-- I've had to alter all those verses. * * * * * EPPING AND OVERSTEPPING.--At a meeting of forest borderers, Wanstead, it was asserted that since the Corporation had had control of the forest, upwards of 100,000 trees had been felled. If true, the members of the Corporation-Epping-Forest-Committee will henceforth be known as "those fellers!" * * * * * [Illustration: "ANIMAL SPIRITS." NO. XII.--OUTSIDE EXETER HALL.] * * * * * TO CIRCE. "If doughty deeds my lady please," Though somewhat old and gouty, The first occasion I will seize Of doing something "doughty"; "If gay attire delights your eye, I'll dight me in array" Which every casual passer-by Will think extremely gay. "If sweetest sounds can win your ear," I'll cheerfully begin (Though somewhat late in life, I fear), To learn the violin; In fact, whatever task you set, You'll speedily discover That in the writer you have met A most submissive lover. I could exemplify the fact Through several extra verses, How I would please, by every act, My kindliest of CIRCE'S; And yet by destiny malign You've happened just to choose The single task which, though divine The bidder, I refuse. The single task--and pardon, pray, If, not without compunction, Reluctantly I disobey Your positive injunction: Ask what you will, I'll undertake The deed, however big, But do not----blind my eyes and make Me try to draw a pig! * * * * * TO A PICTURE. You pretty face, upon my wall, Enshrined in glass and oak and gold, Most charming deaf-mute--and withal My confidante--whate'er befall, My trust in you will rest untold, You pretty face! What do they call you? Is it "Spring"? Or "Blossoms"? or "The Coming Race"?-- It matters not in any case, Your name may be just anything For all I care, you pretty face. You bring me back old scenes anew, You've something of my lady's grace, Of her sweet features just a trace, And so I have re-christened you-- I won't say what--you pretty face! I have no portrait to recall The sweetest of all maids to me, Nor have I need of one at all, Yet, seeing you upon my wall, By pleasing "make-believe" I see Her pretty face! * * * * * BABY'S DIARY. ["The Nursery Tricycle contains two seats, one for the mistress and one for the maid and her charge, and has two pairs of pedals."--_Daily Paper._]