CASTOROLOGIA. 19^ 



" I am leaving," he said, " my native land. 

 Though her name be proud and her record grand, 

 But ingratitude I never will stand — 



Come death before dishonour ! 

 My country has taken the fullest toll. 

 And levied' her taxes on each round poll 

 Of the Beaver clan, till every soul 



Hurls maledictions on her. 



"To die for one's country is no disgrace :— 

 'Mong the names that honour's bead-roll grace 

 A grateful country awards a place 



To the soldier who dies in action. 

 Do you wonder I shake my native damp 

 From my dripping coat, and quick decamp. 

 When I'm known'to fame by a. postage-stamp, 



A hat, and a. party-faction / 



"When the Heralds quartered a coat-of-arms, 

 Of beasts and birds and fishes in swarms, 

 And I saw my hairy-coated charms 



Its blazoned crest adorning, 

 Contented I was to die ; my name, 

 I said, shall have undying fame ! 

 But when the news to my castle came 



My joy was turned to mourning." 



As he ceased, a patter of drops came down 

 And showered us over from toe to crown ; 

 It seemed as if her sorrow would drown, 



In tears the Maple was weeping. 

 In a flood that drenched her shapely limbs 

 The grief-sapped tears that beauty dims, 

 Welled from her bird-eye's round red rims, 



From out her wreathed locks peeping. 



" 'Tis sad, my brother, past all belief," 

 She said when sorrow had found relief : 

 " My life fed yours, we're one in grief 



For treatment unprecedented. 

 I had burned my way to my country's heart 

 I thought, I had taxed the painter's art 

 To limn my charms, and for my part 



With this would fain be contented. 



" I bore it when my tinted leaves 



Were bound and pressed in treasured sheaves 



To which the fond collector cleaves 



As to some dear possession. 

 And Fame seemed very near to me 

 When thou and I were called to be 

 Twin-emblems in some jubilee 



Or St. Jean Baptiste procession. 



