A FRIEND'S BIRTHDAY[21]

When born, in tears we saw thee drown'd,
While thine assembled friends around,
With smiles their joy confest;
So live, that at thy parting hour,
They may the flood of sorrow pour,
And thou in smiles be drest!

[21] The thought contained in these lines, appears so natural and so
obvious, that one wonders it did not occur to all who have attempted
to write upon a birthday or a death.


TO A CAT

Poor Puss is gone! 'Tis fate's decree--
Yet I must still her loss deplore,
For dearer than a child was she,
And ne'er shall I behold her more.

With many a sad presaging tear
This morn I saw her steal away,
While she went on without a fear
Except that she should miss her prey.

I saw her to the dove-house climb,
With cautious feet and slow she stept
Resolv'd to balance loss of time
By eating faster than she crept.