But I have long enough, I fear too long, tormented you with my drivel.  It must be your consolation, that, in spirit, you have been with me to-night, as I have thought of the old days, pausing for a moment over these mute but eloquent companions, to dream or to sigh, and then once more turning the old familiar pages as I try to forget, for just a little while, that dear familiar face.  If something of indifference has tinctured these hurried lines, if I have been unjust in my estimate of the world’s honors and the rewards of the Muses, you will forgive me, if you will remember how the great Burke reduced the value of earthly honors and emoluments to less than that of a peck of wheat.  My fire is gone out.  My candle is flickering in the socket.  There is light in the cold, gray East.  Good-morning, Don Bob!—­good-morning!

AFTER THE BALL.

  They sat and combed their beautiful hair,
  Their long, bright tresses, one by one,
  As they laughed and talked in the chamber there,
  After the revel was done.

  Idly they talked of waltz and quadrille,
  Idly they laughed, like other girls,
  Who over the fire, when all is still,
  Comb out their braids and curls.

  Robe of satin and Brussels lace,
  Knots of flowers and ribbons, too,
  Scattered about in every place,
  For the revel is through.

  And Maud and Madge in robes of white,
  The prettiest night-gowns under the sun,
  Stockingless, slipperless, sit in the night,
  For the revel is done,—­

  Sit and comb their beautiful hair,
  Those wonderful waves of brown and gold,
  Till the fire is out in the chamber there,
  And the little bare feet are cold.

  Then out of the gathering winter chill,
  All out of the bitter St. Agnes weather,
  While the fire is out and the house is still,
  Maud and Madge together,—­

  Maud and Madge in robes of white,
  The prettiest night-gowns under the sun,
  Curtained away from the chilly night,
  After the revel is done,—­

  Float along in a splendid dream,
  To a golden gittern’s tinkling tune,
  While a thousand lustres shimmering stream,
  In a palace’s grand saloon.

  Flashing of jewels, and flutter of laces,
  Tropical odors sweeter than musk,
  Men and women with beautiful faces
  And eyes of tropical dusk,—­

  And one face shining out like a star,
  One face haunting the dreams of each,
  And one voice, sweeter than others are,
  Breaking into silvery speech,—­

  Telling, through lips of bearded bloom,
  An old, old story over again,
  As down the royal bannered room,
  To the golden gittern’s strain,

  Two and two, they dreamily walk,
  While an unseen spirit walks beside,
  And, all unheard in the lovers’ talk,
  He claimeth one for a bride.