"Of fish, a whale's the one for me,
IT IS SO FULL OF BLUBBER!"

The night's performance was "King John."
"It's dull," she wept, "and so-so!"
Awhile I let her tears flow on,
She said they soothed her woe so!
At length the curtain rose upon
'Bombastes Furioso.'

In vain we roared; in vain we tried
To rouse her into laughter:
Her pensive glances wandered wide
From orchestra to rafter -
"TIER UPON TIER!" she said, and sighed;
And silence followed after.



A VALENTINE



[Sent to a friend who had complained that I was glad enough to see
him when he came, but didn't seem to miss him if he stayed away.]


And cannot pleasures, while they last,
Be actual unless, when past,
They leave us shuddering and aghast,