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ACME AND SEPTIMIUS.

FROM CATULLUS.

"Acmen Septimius suos amores
Tenens in gremio, Mea, inquit, Acme,"
&c. &c.

Septimus, folding to his breast
Acme, his love, his spirit's joy——
"My own dear Acme," said the boy,
"Unless I fondly, madly love thee,
"Aye, and will love thee through the rest
"Of life, oh may I view above me
"The lion's blue eye-balls, and expire
"On desert Afric's sands of fire!"

Then Acme, ere she made reply,
Bending her head back gracefully,
With that rosy mouth of hers
Prest his eyes with fondest kiss,
Eyes all drunken with their bliss,
And sighed,—"My life, Septimius dear,
"May Love, who rules the universe,
"Blend our hearts for ever here!
"As he perceives the truest flame
"To penetrate my inmost frame."