1832.] The Seals. 499 



there will be no fear of the result. The laws which regulate the distri- 

 bution of wealth, which govern the rate of wages, and which indissolubly 

 bind up the interest of the workmen with that of their masters, are capable 

 of clear and popular exposition. They only require a fair field and 

 no favour. Magna est VEBITAS et prcevalebit, if Government does not 

 persist in stopping its circulation. Mr. Buiwer, in whose hands the ques- 

 tion at present rests, will, by effecting the Repeal, render another and 

 an essential service of literature. 



THE SEALS. 



Written at the suggestion of a Lover who inferred the decline of his Mistress's 

 affections from her changing the seals of her letters. 



BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HUNCHBACK. 

 I. 



You 've changed the seal you 've changed it thrice ! 



Your first* implied you loved ; 

 How welcome was the dear device, 



A thousand kisses proved. 



Your nextf was love it spoke the flame, 

 Yet scarce so plain methought ; 



I kiss'd it, wishing it the same 

 Your first sweet letter brought. 



The second change^ was change indeed ! 



To friendship ! Judge my bliss ! 

 And did I kiss that seal ? I did ! 



But 'twas a farewell kiss ! 



The third nor love, nor friendship ! There 

 Indeed love's dream should end ; 



As coldest stranger better far 

 Than lover turn'd to friend ! 



No kiss I gave that seal no name 

 Still dear of thine it bore ; 



The signet, whence the impress came-, 

 Perhaps a rival wore ! 



I smiled to think 'twas so 'twas strange ! 



And have such cause to sigh ; 

 How couldst thou fairest creature change ? 



O, wherefore could not I ! 



* The sun-flower. t " Tho' lost to sight, to memory dear." 



May the wings of friendship never moult a feather !" A crest withe 



without initials. 



