



Produced by Chris Curnow, Matthew Wheaton and the Online
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    London. Edward Moxon & Co. Dover Street.

    _MOXON'S MINIATURE POETS._




    A SELECTION FROM THE WORKS OF FREDERICK LOCKER.


    WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD DOYLE.


    LONDON:
    EDWARD MOXON & CO., DOVER STREET.

    1865.

    PRINTED BY BRADBURY AND EVANS, WHITEFRIARS.

    THE ILLUSTRATIONS BY J. E. MILLAIS, R.A., AND RICHARD DOYLE

    THE COVER FROM A DESIGN BY JOHN LEIGHTON, F.S.A.

    THE SERIES PROJECTED AND SUPERINTENDED BY


Some of these pieces appeared in a volume called "London Lyrics," of
which there have been two editions, the first in 1857, and the second
in 1862; a few of the pieces have been restored to the reading of the
First Edition.




TO C. C. L.


    I pause upon the threshold, Charlotte dear,
      To write thy name; so may my book acquire
    One golden leaf. For Some yet sojourn here
      Who come and go in homeliest attire,
    Unknown, or only by the few who see
      The cross they bear, the good that they have wrought:
    Of such art thou, and I have found in thee
      The love and truth that HE, the MASTER, taught;
    Thou likest thy humble poet, canst thou say
    With truth, dear Charlotte?--"And I like his lay."

     ROME, _May_, 1862.




    CONTENTS.


    THE JESTER'S MORAL
    BRAMBLE-RISE
    THE WIDOW'S MITE
    ON AN OLD MUFF
    A HUMAN SKULL
    TO MY GRANDMOTHER
    O TEMPORA MUTANTUR!
    REPLY TO A LETTER ENCLOSING A LOCK OF HAIR
    THE OLD OAK-TREE AT HATFIELD BROADOAK
    AN INVITATION TO ROME, AND THE REPLY:--
        THE INVITATION
        THE REPLY
    OLD LETTERS
    MY NEIGHBOUR ROSE
    PICCADILLY
    THE PILGRIMS OF PALL MALL
    GERALDINE
    "O DOMINE DEUS"
    THE HOUSEMAID
    THE OLD GOVERNMENT CLERK
    A WISH
    THE JESTER'S PLEA
    THE OLD CRADLE
    TO MY MISTRESS
    TO MY MISTRESS'S BOOTS
    THE ROSE AND THE RING
    TO MY OLD FRIEND POSTUMUS
    THE RUSSET PITCHER
    THE FAIRY ROSE
    1863
    GERALDINE GREEN:--
        I. THE SERENADE
        II. MY LIFE IS A----
    MRS. SMITH
    THE SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD
    THE VICTORIA CROSS
    ST. GEORGE'S, HANOVER SQUARE
    SORRENTO
    JANET
    BERANGER
    THE BEAR PIT
    THE CASTLE IN THE AIR
    GLYCERE
    VAE VICTIS
    IMPLORA PACE
    VANITY FAIR
    THE LEGENDE OF SIR GYLES GYLES
    MY FIRST-BORN
    SUSANNAH:--
        I. THE ELDER TREES
        II. A KIND PROVIDENCE
    CIRCUMSTANCE
    ARCADIA
    THE CROSSING-SWEEPER
    A SONG THAT WAS NEVER SUNG
    MR. PLACID'S FLIRTATION
    TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
    BEGGARS
    THE ANGORA CAT
    ON A PORTRAIT OF DR. LAURENCE STERNE
    A SKETCH IN SEVEN DIALS
    LITTLE PITCHER
    UNFORTUNATE MISS BAILEY
    ADVICE TO A POET
    NOTES




The Jesters Moral

    I wish that I could run away
      From House, and Court, and Levee:
    Where bearded men appear to-day,
      Just Eton boys grown heavy.--W. M. PRAED.


    Is human life a pleasant game
      That gives a palm to all?
    A fight for fortune, or for fame?
      A struggle, and a fall?
    Who views the Past, and all he prized,
      With tranquil exultation?
    And who can say, I've realised
      My fondest aspiration?

    Alas, not one! for rest assured
      That all are prone to quarrel
    With Fate, when worms destroy their gourd,
      Or mildew spoils their laurel:
    The prize may come to cheer our lot,
      But all too late--and granted
    'Tis even better--still 'tis not
      Exactly what we wanted.

    My school-boy time! I wish to praise
      That bud of brief existence,
    The vision of my youthful days
      Now trembles in the distance.
    An envious vapour lingers here,
      And there I find a chasm;
    But much remains, distinct and clear,
      To sink enthusiasm.

    Such thoughts just now disturb my soul
      With reason good--for lately
    I took the train to Marley-knoll,
      And crossed the fields to Mately.
    I found old Wheeler at his gate,
      Who used rare sport to show me:
    My Mentor once on snares and bait--
      But Wheeler did not know me.

    "Good