528 MULCIBER SMITH. 



the elm by the river ; a few corks and fragments of buttery paper were 

 strewn about, the sole remaining records of the festive party. He 

 wandered about coast- wise, but all alike deserted. Was this a prank 

 had his friends been " larking," or was it a dark reality, a bona-fide theft. 

 Time's progress he inferred from the lengthening shadows ; the tide of 

 the river gave assurance of the departure of the company. He returned 

 to the place of his slumbers, and renewed his search ; it was unsuccessful 

 as before. He wondered, but wondering was of no assistance ; he put 

 himself in a towering passion, but his wrath was idle ; and not until 

 much valuable time had been expended in searching and swearing, did he 

 prepare for his dreary walk homewards ; to make such inquiries (where 

 and of whom could he inquire ?) as might lead to an elucidation. He 

 looked back many times, but no laughing joker followed him to return 

 his lost garments ; so, with the others on his arm, he made the best of 

 his way to the London Road ; cursing this new freak of Fate with a 

 bitterness by no means philosophical. Fate, however, had other things 



in store for him, that night. 



ALEXIS. 



A SMILE FROM THEE. 



A SMILE from thee were better worth, 

 Than all the sparkling gems of earth, 

 Though dazzling bright their rays may strike, 

 They pour on all those rays alike : 

 Would I might deem alone for me, 

 That pleasure beams a smile from thee ! 



The gay sun, too, whose golden light 

 Enrobes the mead in garb so bright, 

 Awak'ning joy in every breast, 

 Of virtue, truth, and love possess'd, 

 Still shines on all ; but not for me, 

 That pleasure beams a smile from thee ! 



Cares may my peace and joy assail, 

 My warmest, brightest hopes may fail ; 

 And fickle Fortune's adverse frown 

 May tumble all my castles down : 

 Yet what will these reverses be, 

 If I can win a smile from thee ? 



