As time rolled on the whole world came to be A desolation and a darksome curse; And some one said: 'The changes that you see In the fair frame of things, from bad to worse, Are wrought by strikes. The sun withdrew his glimmer Because the moon assisted with her shimmer. 'Then, when poor Luna, straining very hard, Doubled her light to serve a darkling world, He called her 'scab,' and meanly would retard Her rising: and at last the villain hurled A heavy beam which knocked her o'er the Lion Into the nebula of great O'Ryan. 'The planets all had struck some time before, Demanding what they said were equal rights: Some pointing out that others had far more That a fair dividend of satellites. So all went out—though those the best provided, If they had dared, would rather have abided. 'The stars struck too—I think it was because The comets had more liberty than they, And were not bound by any hampering laws, While they were fixed; and there are those who say The comets' tresses nettled poor Altair, An aged orb that hasn't any hair. 'The earth's the only one that isn't in The movement—I suppose because she's watched With horror and disgust how her fair skin Her pranking parasites have fouled and blotched With blood and grease in every labor riot, When seeing any purse or throat to fly at.'
TEMPORA MUTANTUR.
'The world is dull,' I cried in my despair: 'Its myths and fables are no longer fair. 'Roll back thy centuries, O Father Time. To Greece transport me in her golden prime. 'Give back the beautiful old Gods again— The sportive Nymphs, the Dryad's jocund train, 'Pan piping on his reeds, the Naiades, The Sirens singing by the sleepy seas. 'Nay, show me but a Gorgon and I'll dare To lift mine eyes to her peculiar hair '(The fatal horrors of her snaky pate, That stiffen men into a stony state) 'And die—erecting, as my soul goes hence, A statue of myself, without expense.' Straight as I spoke I heard the voice of Fate: 'Look up, my lad, the Gorgon sisters wait.' Raising my eyes, I saw Medusa stand, Stheno, Euryale, on either hand. I gazed unpetrified and unappalled— The girls had aged and were entirely bald!
CONTENTMENT.
Sleep fell upon my senses and I dreamed Long years had circled since my life had fled. The world was different, and all things seemed Remote and strange, like noises to the dead. And one great Voice there was; and something said: 'Posterity is speaking—rightly deemed Infallible:' and so I gave attention, Hoping Posterity my name would mention. 'Illustrious Spirit,' said the Voice, 'appear! While we confirm eternally thy fame, Before our dread tribunal answer, here, Why do no statues celebrate thy name, No monuments thy services proclaim? Why did not thy contemporaries rear To thee some schoolhouse or memorial college? It looks almighty queer, you must acknowledge.' Up spake I hotly: 'That is where you err!' But some one thundered in my ear: 'You shan't Be interrupting these proceedings, sir; The question was addressed to General Grant.' Some other things were spoken which I can't Distinctly now recall, but I infer,
