Page:Halleck.djvu/125

 He would have hanged himself for very spite, And she, blessed woman, might have had the honor Of some neat "paragraphs"—worth all the lays That Judah's minstrel warbled in her praise.

Her star arose too soon; but that which swayed Th' ascendant at our merchant's natal hour Was bright with better destiny—its aid Led him to pluck within the classic bower Of bulletins, the blossoms of true knowledge, And supplied the loss of school and college.

For there he learned the news some minutes sooner Than others could; and to distinguish well The different signals, whether ship or schooner, Hoisted at Staten Island; and to tell The change of wind, and of his neighbor's fortunes, And, best of all—he there learned self-importance.

Nor were these all the advantages derived From change of scene; for near his domicil of the pair of polished lamps then lived, And in my hero's promenades, at will, Could he behold them burning—and their flame Kindled within his breast the love of fame—