Oh for the lessons learned by heart!
Ay, though the very birch's smart
Should mark those hours again;
I'd "kiss the rod," and be resign'd
Beneath the stroke, and even find
Some sugar in the cane!


XIV.

The Arabian Nights rehearsed in bed!
The Fairy Tales in school-time read,
By stealth, 'twixt verb and noun!
The angel form that always walk'd
In all my dreams, and look'd and talk'd
Exactly like Miss Brown!


XV.

The _omne bene_--Christmas come!
The prize of merit, won for home--
Merit had prizes then!
But now I write for days and days,
For fame--a deal of empty praise,
Without the silver pen!


XVI.