She'll pardon a comer so late as this
Whom she'd fain not miss."

She received him--an ancient dame,
Who hemmed, with features frozen and numb,
"How strange!--I'd almost forgotten your name! -
A call just now--is troublesome;
Why did you come?"



A YOUNG MAN'S EXHORTATION



Call off your eyes from care
By some determined deftness; put forth joys
Dear as excess without the core that cloys,
And charm Life's lourings fair.

Exalt and crown the hour
That girdles us, and fill it full with glee,
Blind glee, excelling aught could ever be
Were heedfulness in power.

Send up such touching strains
That limitless recruits from Fancy's pack
Shall rush upon your tongue, and tender back
All that your soul contains.