CHINESE LANTERNS.

Through the windows on the park

Float the waltzes, weirdly sweet;

In the light, and in the dark,

Rings the chime of dancing feet.

Mid the branches, all a-row,

Fiery jewels gleam and glow;

Dreamingly we walk beneath,—

Ah, so slow!

All the air is full of love;

Misty shadows wrap us round;

Light below and dark above,

Filled with softly-surging sound.

See the forehead of the Night

Garlanded with flowers of light,

And her goblet crowned with wine,

Golden bright.

Ah! those deep, alluring eyes,

Quiet as a haunted lake;

In their depths the passion lies

Half in slumber, half awake.

Lay thy warm, white hand in mine

Let the fingers clasp and twine,

While my eager, panting heart

Beats‘ gainst thine.

Bring thy velvet lips a-near,

Mine are hungry for a kiss,

Gladly will I sate them, dear;

Closer, closer,— this,— and this.

On thy lips love's seal I lay,

Nevermore to pass away;—

That was all last night, you know,

But to-day —

Chinese lanterns hung in strings,

Painted paper, penny dips,—

Filled with roasted moths and things

Greasy with the tallow drips;

Wet and torn, with rusty wire,

Blackened by the dying fire;

Withered flowers, trampled deep

In the mire.

Chinese lanterns, Bernstein's band,

Belladonna, lily white,

These made up the fairy-land

Where I wandered all last night;

Ruled in all its rosy glow

By a merry Queen, you know

Jolly, dancing, laughing, witching,

Veuve Cliquot.