I FIND MYSELF IN A DELICATE SITUATION XXVI.

Had I gone forth From my own land, like the old patriarchs, seeking Another region with their flocks and herds; Had I been cast out like the Jews from Zion, Or like our fathers driven by Attila From fertile Italy to barren islets, I would have given some tears to my late country, And many thoughts; but afterward address'd Myself to those about me, to create A new home and first state.

No, no, my lord, your daughter must be cur'd By fasting, prayer, and religious works; Myself for her will sing a solemn mass, And give her three sips of the holy chalice; And turn my beads with aves and with creeds:

for who knows From what once lovely Lip it springs unseen! Ah, my Belovéd, fill the Cup that clears To-day of past Regrets and future Fears: To-morrow!Why, To-morrow I may be Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.

I dare say, my friend, you have seen an old man, frail, soured, and shabby, and you have thought, with a start, Perhaps there is Myself of Future Years.

[Illustration: SEATED MYSELF ON THE HAMPER.]

But images of danger and distress, Man suffering among awful Powers and Forms; 165 Of this I heard, and saw enough to make Imagination restless; nor was free Myself from frequent perils; nor were tales Wanting,the tragedies of former times, Hazards and strange escapes, of which the rocks 170 Immutable and overflowing streams, Where'er I roamed, were speaking monuments.

O holy, blessed, glorious Trinity Of persons, still one God in Unity, The faithful man's believed mystery, Help, help to lift Myself up to thee, harrowed, torn, and bruised By sin and Satan, and my flesh misused.

FITTING MYSELF INTO MY SPHERE.AGE, 22, 23.