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Thomas Westwood: Harry

But Death would not take what fair Julia refused; And, in fact, Harry thought himself very ill used Your absence too long-for we dine, sharp, at six; But you'll see, before then, many beautiful sticks." Harry went on this mission, to rifle the riches Of the hazlewood brake-and saw such lovely switches, But none good enough to present, as a token, To her who, "lang syne," had his burning heart broken; The wood was passed through-and no switch yet selected, When "six o'clock," suddenly, Hal recollected, And took out his watch :-but ten minutes to spare- He employed those ten minutes with scrupulous care, But, spite of his pains-the best switch he selected Did not equal, by much, many first he rejected; He eyed it askance-and he bent it-and shook it- And owned, with a shrug, 'twas a leetle bit crooked. He returned, and told Julia the state of the case, When she-(a faint smile lighting up a sad face)- Said, "Harry, your walk through the hazlewood brake Is my history-a lesson that many might take; At first, you saw beautiful sticks by the score, And hoped to get better, with such 'plenty more,' But at the last moment-no time left to pick- You were forced to put up with a crooked old stick." O Woman!-designed for the conquest of hearts, To your own native charms add not too many arts; By "Death and the Lady "-till Time's precious oint- If a poet's quaint rhyme might dare offer advice, ment Cured the wound Julia made, And the soldier's bold blade Soon won him a colonel's appointment; And then he went home, by hard service made sager, And found Julia had married a yellow old major.

For the sake of old times, Harry called on the lady, Who was now on that side of this life they call "shady;" Which, though pleasant in streets, in the summer's bright sun, On life's path is not pleasant-when summer's all done.

He took her hand kindly and hoped she was well- And looked with a tender regret on his belle ! "Ah! Julia! how's this?-I would not give you pain, But I think I may ask, without being thought vain, How the girl who refused to let Harry encage her, Could consent to be trapped by a yellow old major?" "Come dine here," said she-"and at evening we'll take, On horseback a ride through the hazlewood brake; You should be nice all over-but not over-nice.

I don't wish a lady so wondrously quick As to sharpen her knife for the very first stick; But-for one good enough-it were best not o'erlook it, Lest, in seeking too straight ones-you get but the crooked.