* * * * *

THE SECRET LOVER.

FROM THE PERSIAN OF JAUMI.

Lives there the soulless youth, whose eye
That ruby tinted lip could see,
Nor long for thee to live or die? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

Or see that cheek’s pomegranate glow;
Yet think of anything but thee,
Cold as that bosom heaving snow? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

Or see thee o’er the golden wire
Bend with such lovely witchery,
Nor feel each tone like living fire? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

Or see thee in the evening dance
Float, like the foam upon the sea,
Nor drink sweet poison from thy glance? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

Or hear thy hymn, at moonlight rise,
Soft as the humming of the bee,
Nor think he sits in Paradise? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

Or see thee in thy simplest hour,
Sweet as the rose upon the tree,
Nor long to plant thee in his bower? 

          
                                                How unlike me!

But lives there one who vainly tries
To look the freest of the free,
And hide the wound by which he dies? 

          
                                                Ah! how like me!

BLACKWOOD’S MAGAZINE.

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RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS.

ROBIN HOOD.

    (Concluded from page 182.)

With respect to the personal character of Robin Hood, it is generally agreed that he was active, brave, prudent, patient, possessed of uncommon bodily strength, and considerable military skill; just, generous, and beloved by his followers.  As proofs of his singular popularity, his story and exploits have been made the subject of various dramatic exhibitions, as well of innumerable poems, lyrics, songs, and ballads; he has given rise to divers proverbs, and to swear by him was a common practice.  Some writers say his songs have been preferred on solemn occasions, not only to the Psalms of David, but to the New Testament, and his service to the word of God.  We have the opinion of Bishop Latimer on this head:—­“I came,” says the bishop (in his sixth sermon before King Edward VI.) “to a place, riding on a journey homeward from London, and I sent word over night into the town, that I would preach there in the morning, because it was a holyday, and methought