ON A DECEASED LADY

(THE THEN LIVING PRINCESS BELGIOIJOSO) Adapted from Alfred de Musset. She was most beautiful, if the grand Night, Which now so long pervades the sombre church "Where Angelo showed his artistic might, If this to us shows beauty to our search. She een was good, if no more is required Than that a purse should sometimes opened be Without its being by the heart inspired. Ah, gold alone is not true charity.

She thought, if all the idle endless chatter Of her voice, musical and quite well taught. Like some small brook,whose murmur does not matter. Could once persuade me that she sometimes thought. She prayed, if her most captivating eyes Most often wedded to this dreary earth Were sometimes raised towards heaven with listless sighs Can well be called a prayer of any worth. She might have smiled, if a most lovely flower Though not it bloom, whene'er the bright sun sets. Itself expended in its charming bower In fitful air which passes and forgets. She might have wept, if her too languid hand With jealous care placed on her icy breast

Had e'er with human love heen gently fanned,

And felt the charm of pity with some zest.

She might have loved, if her o'erweening pride

Like useless lamps with which we gladly part.

Which we'd in vain light at some dear grave's side

Had not watched o'er her selQsh sterile heart.

Alive, to feeling dead, a joyless life

She only feigned in fancied bliss to live.

She left unread the book of love in strife,

To change her fate lier soul she now would give.