"What are they that way for, father?" "Last fall, 'Our candidate's better,' they said, 'than all!'" "What did they say he was, father?" "A man Built on a straight incorruptible plan-- Believing that none for an office would do Unless he were honest and capable too." "Poor gentlemen--_so_ disappointed!" "Yes, lad, That is the feeling that's driving them mad; They're weeping and wailing and gnashing because They find that he's all that they said that he was." THE BRIDE. "You know, my friends, with what a brave carouse I made a second marriage in my house-- Divorced old barren Reason from my bed And took the Daughter of the Vine to spouse." So sang the Lord of Poets. In a gleam Of light that made her like an angel seem, The Daughter of the Vine said: "I myself Am Reason, and the Other was a Dream." STRAINED RELATIONS. Says England to Germany: "Africa's ours." Says Germany: "Ours, I opine." Says Africa: "Tell me, delectable Pow'rs, What is it that ought to be mine?" THE MAN BORN BLIND. A man born blind received his sight By a painful operation; And these are things he saw in the light Of an infant observation. He saw a merchant, good and wise. And greatly, too, respected, Who looked, to those imperfect eyes, Like a swindler undetected. He saw a patriot address A noisy public meeting. And said: "Why, that's a calf. I guess. That for the teat is bleating." A doctor stood beside a bed And shook his summit sadly. "O see that foul assassin!" said The man who saw so badly. He saw a lawyer pleading for A thief whom they'd been jailing, And said: "That's an accomplice, or My sight again is failing." Upon the Bench a Justice sat, With nothing to restrain him; "'Tis strange," said the observer, "that They ventured to unchain him." With theologic works supplied, He saw a solemn preacher; "A burglar with his kit," he cried, "To rob a fellow creature." A bluff old farmer next he saw Sell produce in a village, And said: "What, what! is there no law To punish men for pillage?" A dame, tall, fair and stately, passed, Who many charms united; He thanked his stars his lot was cast Where sepulchers were whited. He saw a soldier stiff and stern, "Full of strange oaths" and toddy; But was unable to discern A wound upon his body. Ten square leagues of rolling ground To one great man belonging, Looked like one little grassy mound With worms beneath it thronging. A palace's well-carven stones, Where Dives dwelt contented, Seemed built throughout of human bones With human blood cemented. He watched the yellow shining thread A silk-worm was a-spinning; "That creature's coining gold." he said, "To pay some girl for sinning."