24 APRIL 1875, Page 15

POETRY.

CLEOPATRA'S REPLY.

I HA.VE a thousand slaves, 'tis true,

Who somehow do their duty, And all the service left for you Is, to report my beauty.

But 'tis a service which, to me Heaps vanity on vanity.

My other slaves may say I'm stern, While you reflect me smiling; Could you but look beneath and learn What mean those looks beguiling,— They only mean dissembling care, And struggling vainly with despair.

Mine eyes are dry, my heart is dust, All memories turned to sadness ;

And yet I know that smile I must,—

Poor substitute for gladness !

So, that my smiles no harm may do,

IlI give my latest smile to you.

J. A. H.