A Selection from the Works of Frederick Locker

Page 1 of 41

London. Edward Moxon & Co. Dover Street.

_MOXON'S MINIATURE POETS._

A SELECTION FROM THE WORKS OF FREDERICK LOCKER.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD DOYLE.

LONDON: EDWARD MOXON & CO., DOVER STREET.

1865.

PRINTED BY BRADBURY AND EVANS, WHITEFRIARS.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS BY J. E. MILLAIS, R.A., AND RICHARD DOYLE

THE COVER FROM A DESIGN BY JOHN LEIGHTON, F.S.A.

THE SERIES PROJECTED AND SUPERINTENDED BY

Some of these pieces appeared in a volume called "London Lyrics," of which there have been two editions, the first in 1857, and the second in 1862; a few of the pieces have been restored to the reading of the First Edition.

TO C. C. L.

I pause upon the threshold, Charlotte dear, To write thy name; so may my book acquire One golden leaf. For Some yet sojourn here Who come and go in homeliest attire, Unknown, or only by the few who see The cross they bear, the good that they have wrought: Of such art thou, and I have found in thee The love and truth that HE, the MASTER, taught; Thou likest thy humble poet, canst thou say With truth, dear Charlotte?--"And I like his lay."

ROME, _May_, 1862.

CONTENTS.

THE JESTER'S MORAL BRAMBLE-RISE THE WIDOW'S MITE ON AN OLD MUFF A HUMAN SKULL TO MY GRANDMOTHER O TEMPORA MUTANTUR! REPLY TO A LETTER ENCLOSING A LOCK OF HAIR THE OLD OAK-TREE AT HATFIELD BROADOAK AN INVITATION TO ROME, AND THE REPLY:-- THE INVITATION THE REPLY OLD LETTERS MY NEIGHBOUR ROSE PICCADILLY THE PILGRIMS OF PALL MALL GERALDINE "O DOMINE DEUS" THE HOUSEMAID THE OLD GOVERNMENT CLERK A WISH THE JESTER'S PLEA THE OLD CRADLE TO MY MISTRESS TO MY MISTRESS'S BOOTS THE ROSE AND THE RING TO MY OLD FRIEND POSTUMUS THE RUSSET PITCHER THE FAIRY ROSE 1863 GERALDINE GREEN:-- I. THE SERENADE II. MY LIFE IS A---- MRS. SMITH THE SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD THE VICTORIA CROSS ST. GEORGE'S, HANOVER SQUARE SORRENTO JANET BERANGER THE BEAR PIT THE CASTLE IN THE AIR GLYCERE VAE VICTIS IMPLORA PACE VANITY FAIR THE LEGENDE OF SIR GYLES GYLES MY FIRST-BORN SUSANNAH:-- I. THE ELDER TREES II. A KIND PROVIDENCE CIRCUMSTANCE ARCADIA THE CROSSING-SWEEPER A SONG THAT WAS NEVER SUNG MR. PLACID'S FLIRTATION TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS BEGGARS THE ANGORA CAT ON A PORTRAIT OF DR. LAURENCE STERNE A SKETCH IN SEVEN DIALS LITTLE PITCHER UNFORTUNATE MISS BAILEY ADVICE TO A POET NOTES

The Jesters Moral

I wish that I could run away From House, and Court, and Levee: Where bearded men appear to-day, Just Eton boys grown heavy.--W. M. PRAED.

Is human life a pleasant game That gives a palm to all? A fight for fortune, or for fame? A struggle, and a fall? Who views the Past, and all he prized, With tranquil exultation? And who can say, I've realised My fondest aspiration?

Alas, not one! for rest assured That all are prone to quarrel With Fate, when worms destroy their gourd, Or mildew spoils their laurel: The prize may come to cheer our lot, But all too late--and granted 'Tis even better--still 'tis not Exactly what we wanted.

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