MASKS br br BLACK Tragedy lets slip her grim disguise br And shows you laughing lips and roguish eyes; br But when, unmasked, gay Comedy appears, br How wan her cheeks are, and what heavy tears! br br MEMORIES br br TWO things there are with Memory will abide, br Whatever else befall, while life flows by: br That soft cold hand-touch at the altar side; br The thrill that shook you at your child’s first cry. br br CIRCUMSTANCE br br LINKED to a clod, harassed, and sad br With sordid cares, she knew not life was sweet br Who should have moved in marble halls, and had br Kings and crown-princes at her feet. br br ON READING —— br br GREAT thoughts in crude, unshapely verse set forth br Lose half their preciousness, and ever must. br Unless the diamond with its own rich dust br Be cut and polished, it seems little worth. br br QUITS br br IF my best wines mislike thy taste, br And my best service win thy frown, br Then tarry not, I bid thee haste; br There ’s many another Inn in town.