New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-12

mo. II your girl is as green as you are she
would think that it was short for Daniel Cupid
and she wouldn't see any meaning in It."
Il don't think like that stanza much any
way"
NO. I thought So II really Is too good for
you. l will sell 1t to somebody else for 80 cents
line l don't know what ever made me offer
1t to you for less"
The poet unused again and presently produced
the following:
The heavens hue is taken from your eyes
The driven snow vies with your brow in vain.
The winds that whisper initiate your sighS
Your hair defies the lion fierce his name.
Now. you see how original that Is Poets
have often said that the color OF a girls eyes
was taken from the heavens but I say that the
color of the heavens was taken from her eyes
Don't you see how much higher the compli-
ment is? And it's the same all through"
But it seems to me there isn't quite passion
enough in it.
Il couldn't put in any more for 37la cents"
"WeI. show me something at 80 cents"
Then" said the poet. you must excuse me
for few moments. There are all the comic
papers; wait"
The poet went into another room and closed
the door Presently the customer heard the
then &. intervals he heard It again. Presently
the poet reappearcd Il have written you three
valentines" he said, and don't think that you
can do better anywhere This is the frst
The new moon rises IN the West at dawn,
The pole star sets beneath the darkling sea-
The shOWering dew bediamOndeth the lawn.
Yet I think not Of these. but only thee!
Each hour the tide comes up and falls again.
The swan doth build its nest in yonder tree,
The skylark singeth deep within the glen,
Yet dream not Of these. but only thee
aren't you a little Off about your science7"
the visitor asked. The pole star doesn't set,
you know. and the tide doesn't rise and fall
every hour. and thought noticed some other
things"
Again the poet looked scornfuL you don't go
to a valentine when you want science" he said;
you go to the Nautical Almanac The errors
In science show all the more plainly that you
are thinking only Of her Here Is your second
valentine; it is still better:
Soon all socn o sweetest say
The words TO bring my richest boon;
Reward my faithful heart to-day
Soon, ah, soon!
Long ah. long, this heart, my sweet
Has bled because thou dds't 1t wrong.
And prayed for mercy at thy feet
Long, ah. long,
Dear. all. dear will be the hour
When thou shalt give the hope and cheer
That lie alone within thy power
Dear. ah Gear.
Now what do you think OF thatT'
Il don't see how you charge the fun price
for those short lines at the ends of the stanzas,
especially when they never say anything that
hasn't been said before"
"Oh you don't seel Well. II have many
more customers like you I'll go out Of the busI-
ness Here is your last valentine. and you
take II or leave it.
Maid who hold'st my heart In thran
Turn the night to glowing day;
Love and faith are all in all;
Smile ere yet my hair Is gray.
90 my love, Orion flames
And the violet bursts its bud;
Sounds are words and words names;
Whence this tumult In my blood?
Days may pass in dance and song
As the river Gree'S the deep;
All, Che wind blows chill and strong;
Love, an, love. can Dian sleep?
-O'cr the moon the cloud has sway.
Like the bushes Of girl
See love, how the dying day
Breaks in orient gold and pearl
ut sounds very beautiful" said the visitor.
"Ah, | hoped that you would think So" said
the poet.
But It seems to me rather sad; isn't 1t just
a bit too sad for a valentineT"
The deepest sentiment" said the poet, even
when 1t Is joyous. always has touch OF sad
ness in it. II you want a comic valentine you
will have to go somewhere else"
IL suppose you are right about the sadness,
but what does this poem mean"
The poet rose and faced his visitor. There Is
poet just around the corner" he said. who
writes poetry that baby can understand. No
body else cares to understand it. and even the
baby takes milk and water for choice Do