cannot last!

How came it about? That's a matter of doubt,
Which there isn't much use in discussing,
To part them's my aim; I would manage that same
Without either fighting or fussing.
Newfoundland or not, there's no dog finds it nice
To live very long with its tail in a vice!

I want to get near if I can, but, oh dear!
The Dog to my call won't attend. I
Conceive, if he would, it might be for his good,
I'd hit on some _modus vivendi_.
But if Dog _won't_ stand still, and if Lobster _won't_ loose,
My heartiest help cannot be of much use.

One ANDROCLES bold eased a lion of old
Of a thorn in his foot--a great worry!
But ANDROCLES, sure, would have failed of a cure
If poor Leo had kept on the scurry,
As you, my dear Dog, do at present. _Verb. sap.!_
Do just let me _get at_ the Lobster, old chap!

While it's fast to your tail, and you wriggle and wail,
And romp all around, the best master,
And kindest of heart, Dog and Lobster can't part.
_Don't_ think I deride your disaster!
The pinch of it might make an elephant prance;
No, all that I ask is--_just give me a chance!_

* * * * *

[Illustration: "THAT CON-FOUNDLAND DOG!"

JOHN BULL. "IF I COULD ONLY GET HIM TO STAND STILL, I COULD SOON
SETTLE THE LOBSTER!"]

* * * * *

A TEN MINUTES' IDYL.

Life is a farce, a dreary round,
A fraud--of that there's not a doubt,
Although I've only lately found
It out.

Bad boldly masquerades as good,
Fruit turns to ashes in the taking,
Unpleasant very is the rude
Awaking.

'Tis Spring, when something, so one learns,
Seems to affect the burnished dove,
And when a young man's fancy turns
To love.

With window open to the breeze,
The tramp of passers-by unheeding,
I sit reclining at mine ease,
A-reading.

I've read enough--and not amiss
I rather fancy now would be
A little rest--ah! what is this
I see?

A sight that's almost past belief,
And makes me think I must be raving,
For there a girl a handkerchief
Is waving!

Like to a light that in the black
And inky night shines o'er the main,
It disappears, and then comes back
Again.

I know the house quite well--I've heard
Her father