Must ever conduce, in "the nature of things,"

To negative soon the enjoyment it brings.

It is but an act, then, of justice to say
That hunger and work having frittered away
My passion for rhyme, I descended to prose,
And failing in that, ended all in a doze.
The balmy refreshment occurring on sleep,
Which after some time grew insensibly deep,
Presented me early this morning-inclined
To revel in food at the cost of my mind;
But Virtue herself stepping cautiously in,
Respectfully urged me not yet to begin.

No longer, however, than while she remained
Could passion submit to the law she ordained;
And taking at length both of coffee and toast,
I thought little more of this virtuous host.
But ah! what are coffee and toast for a man,
Engaged as am I in the arduous plan

Of treating disease, which compels me to walk

Many miles in a day, and incessantly talk

To those who are either affectedly weak,

Or willing, but really unable to speak.
Thus reasoned I now with myself, till at last
I scarcely believed I had broken my fast;
When Virtue appearing, I instantly fought her
With mealy potato and hot gin and water.
The liquor, or some other spirit presiding,
Reminds me of having professed to confide in
Your friendship so long, that I cannot do better
Than beg you will graciously foster this letter.
The cheering effect of my singular meal
Will not, I imagine, thus playfully steal
Much longer in numbers adapted to move
The maidens below or the Spirits above.
I, therefore, with due Epicurean grace,
Propose that, as soon as you can, you embrace,
Not me, as indeed you would not if you might,
But this invitation to pass the first night
You can at my dwelling, where I and my wife
Will amply provide the good things of this life.

Of eels*, at this moment, we have but a few;

But these will afford a delectable stew

For one who is anxious with animal grease
The bulk of her own pretty form to increase.
The season, again, I should say, by the by,
Would sanction as well a recourse to mince pie*;
And, lastly, to gladden your dear little heart,

My fancy suggests a good black currant tart.*

66

But, stay! will a lovely descendant of Chus

Be willing," asks one," to be entertained thus ?"

And though I rejoice to have often agreed

With you on the old Epicurean creed,

In practice you wish to be well understood

To choose the construction adopted by Good;
While I, in the version of some others read,

Refuse to subsist upon water and bread :

Yet come when you may, if the project will please,

I promise to add but a morsel of cheese.

* Articles of food, to which the lady's antipathies apply.

THE HALLUCINATION.

WHAT greater proof can man require,

That earth is deeply charged with sin,

Than when he feels the hidden fire

Of hell within!

When day and night alternate fling

Their light and shade o'er all that live,

Yet joys that each is said to bring

They cease to give ; —

When winds from every adverse source Assault him with conflicting breath,

And whispering Zephyrs in their course

When clouds of fearful darkness roll

In terror through the vaulted sky,

And, trembling for his guilty soul,
Weep from on high; —

When every sacred tie he holds

Far dearer than the world's renown,

Is broke and beauty now beholds

Him with a frown;

When men of every grade delight
To witness his unceasing pain,

And horrid phantoms through the night

Distract his brain;

When murderers stand behind the trees,

And wait but for his coming near;

When objects that were wont to please

Engender fear;