s: Their splendid equipment, demeanor, or bearing;


s: She observed not their manners, nor what they were wearing;


s: Their marvellous exploits for her had no charms:


s: Their prowess in tourney, their valor at arms;


s: Their wondrous achievements of brawn or of brain,--


s: All, all were as naught to the Lady Lorraine.


s: To each suitor she'd say, with her hand on her heart,


s: "Sir, I ask of you only that you will depart."


s: In vain they entreated, they begged and they plead,


s: They coaxed and besought, and they sullenly said


s: That she was hard-hearted, unfeeling, and cruel.


s: They challenged each other to many a duel;


s: They scowled and they scolded, they sulked and they sighed,


s: But they could not win Lady Lorraine for a bride.


s: Now the reason for this, as you may have divined,


s: Was because in her maidenly heart was enshrined


s: The image of one who was just to her mind:


s: The lord of her heart, and the love of her life,


s: To whom she had promised to be a fond wife.


s: Was hastening to her across the blue sea.


s: He had written to say he was then on the way,


s: And would greet his fair lady on Christmas day.


s: 'Twas Christmas eve. In the old oak hall


s: Preparations were made for the Christmas ball.


s: Gay garlands were hung from ceiling and wall;


s: The Yule log was laid, the tables arrayed,


s: And the Lady Lorraine and her whole cavalcade,


s: From the pompous old steward to the scullery-maid,


s: And everything shone with a marvellous lustre.


s: Such savory viands the larders presented;


s: Such wondrous confections the bakers invented:


s: Such pasties and cates of eccentric design;


s: Such sparkling decanters of rarest old wine;


s: And ready at hand was the great wassail-bowl,


s: And the jolly old boar's head, with lemon, so droll.


s: The nook for musicians was carefully planned,


s: And carols and glees would be played by the band.


s: At last all was ready. The workmen were done;


s: And awaiting the jollity, mirth, and frivolity,


s: The games and the dancing, the feasting and fun,


s: The old hall was empty,--save only for one,--


s: The Lady Lorraine, who surveyed it with pride,


s: And said, "It is worthy of Lord Cecil's bride!"


s: Then a bright smile illumined her happy young face,


s: Her roguish eyes twinkled, and gayly Her Grace


s: Crossed the old polished floor with a step light and quick,


s: And her high slipper heels went clickety-click.


s: She looked cautiously round,--she was all by herself;


s: A mistletoe spray with its berries like pearls;


s: Then tossing her head and shaking her curls,


s: In a manner half daring and yet half afraid,


s: The madcap maid, with a smile that betrayed


s: Said, "On Christmas eve, 'neath this mistletoe bough,


s: With a glance at the portraits that hung on the wall,


s: I vow by the names that I've long revered,--


s: By my great-great-grandfather's great gray beard,


s: By my father's sword, by my uncle's hat,


s: Indeed, by his whole preposterous rig,--


s: By the scutcheon and crest, and all the rest


s: Of the signs of my house, I vow this vow:


s: That whoever beneath this mistletoe bough


s: My partner for life shall henceforth be."


s: She had scarcely ceased when she heard a sound.


s: With kind blue eyes and a long white beard,


s: St. Nicholas, dear to her childhood days,


s: And she met his smile with a welcome gaze.


s: With her laughing eyes and her winsome face;


s: And exultingly cried, "I heard your vow;


s: And Lady Lorraine shall be _my_ bride now!"


s: She looked at the figure who stood by her side


s: And audaciously claimed her for his bride.


s: From the cheeks that his kiss had flushed rosy red.


s: As she thought of her lover, Lord Cecil Clare,


s: But the honor and pride of her race were at stake;


s: Her solemn vow, though her heart might ache.


s: To be true to her word, her sire had taught her,


s: She appealed to the portraits of squires and dames,


s: Who looked sternly down from their gilded frames;


s: But they seemed to say, "There must ne'er be broken


s: A promise or vow a Lorraine has spoken."


s: With stifled sighs, and with tears in her eyes,


s: Though she tried to assume a cheerful guise,


s: She turned to the suitor who stood apart,


s: Awaiting the gift of her hand and heart;


s: And she said with a gentle, dignified air:


s: I assumed this guise for a Christmas joke."


s: He doffed his wig and his long white beard;


s: And smiling there, in the firelight's glare,


s: She said, "You are welcome home, my lord;


s: And "Bless you, my children!" they seemed to say.


s: Then the band appeared, and began to play;


s: By the knight and the lady, and every one said,


s: With a shout that rent the midnight air,


s: sound judgment, and earnest Christian life,


s: _O Thou, who art the source of joy and light,


s: Thyself Divine, all nature owns Thy might,


s: Afford me light to guide my unskilled hand,


s: And by Thy Spirit all my thoughts command.


s: Yielding to Thee what Thou with blood hast bought,


s: Resolved that Thou shalt have my days and hours,


s: And for Thy sake shall every work be wrought;


s: And my poor heart with love and gladness fill.


s: If this strange impulse which I feel within


s: To write this book proceeds, O Lord, from Thee,


s: But let the work from self and sin be free,


s: And prove a guide to home and bliss above,


s: And help to fill this warring world with love.


s: The Master's touch I know it sadly lacks,


s: And may not please the nice artistic taste


s: Of some fine mind that naught but gold attracts;


s: Some may not count these iron-filings waste;


s: Like magnets, to which gold will not adhere,


s: May they find ore in this to bless and cheer.


s: In this plain pitcher, Lord, Thy blessing pour,


s: That from it men their raging thirst may slake,


s: Then let the earthen vessel quickly break;


s: Its end is gained if Thou art glorified,


s: And men have learned to love the Christ who died.


s: As flowers drink in the solar rays and dew,


s: And in return give bloom and odors sweet,


s: So would I to Thy Spirit's touch prove true,


s: And render that return which seemeth meet;


s: Come, dews of grace! Great Sun, illume my heart!


s: That I to some sad soul may joy impart._


s: Nor babbling tongue, nor sounding creed,


s: The Celts with wealth of heart and mind,


s: When swords shall from their scabbards fly,


s: Thy plan is best, though it may not agree


s: With my conceptions of my needs and rights,


s: And faith may fail to scale its azure heights;


s: Yet still I trust, and leave my cause with Thee.


s: With single eye I sought to do Thy will.


s: I felt Thy smile and left results with Thee;


s: If they have failed, then that is naught to me--


s: I did my part, and am Thy servant still.


s: The hearts of men are in Thy mighty hand;


s: Naught is concealed from Thy all-searching sight;


s: Canst Thou not turn them to the left or right?


s: The aching clay may circumscribe my sphere;


s: And e'er rejoice to have my Master near.


s: Thoughts of Thy love will yet remain with me,


s: And in my silent hours may shape assume,


s: And by their measures help to lift the gloom


s: Of this dark world, and bring men nearer Thee.


s: Whate'er may come, I will not, Lord, complain;


s: My plan is Thine, I have no other choice.


s: In work or rest 'tis meet I should rejoice;


s: Which we, their sons, are called to reap.


s: Our lakes and streams hold wealth untold,


s: In which God's truth and love are shown,


s: Their missions--but where'er their place


s: "God's mill," 'tis said, "grinds fine, tho' slow,"


s: For place and power in Church and State,


s: They fought as foes--gave blow for blow.


s: If words should fail the storm to quell,


s: Will soothe my fevered heart with tears--


s: True friendship knows both joy and grief,


s: All full of flowers, though hid from sight.


s: On love's strong throne its monarch sits.


s: Than words, though they were solid gold.


s: Our lives seem filled with things of little worth;


s: Which bring our soaring thoughts from heaven to earth,


s: If we amidst them all cleave to the right;


s: Nor great nor small are actions in His sight;


s: Through lowly vale He shows our feet the way.


s: The roseate sky now proves quite commonplace;


s: Have vanished all--nor left the slightest trace


s: But high o'er all beams out the polar star


s: To guide us safe through rock and sandy bar;


s: Life is complete and its cap-stone is grace.


s: Whose words have won the hearts of young and old;


s: So free from cant, and yet replete with grace,


s: Or prose or verse it glows like burnished gold;


s: And those who know thee best forget thy youth.


s: Thy active mind requires a healthy brain;


s: Death's shadow has gone back upon the dial,


s: And thou art left a higher goal to gain;


s: The future will eclipse the brilliant past;


s: Fear not; thy ideal will be reached at last.


s: To do the grandest work one must needs be


s: Yea more, he must possess the light to see


s: Those mysteries which nature seems to mask,


s: And this can gain but in the royal way--


s: 'Tis dread experience leads from gloom to-day.


s: The Master saw a struggling youth, and smiled,


s: Pleased with his work in main; but, knowing too


s: His latent power, if it could be beguiled


s: From hiding-place, much greater work would do,


s: He took His servant's hand and led the way


s: Through vale of sorrow up to brighter day.


s: By other path this height is ne'er attained,


s: Nor books nor schools its hidden wealth unveil.


s: Philosophy and art have treasures gained,


s: But in this quest they must forever fail--


s: Bring needed light and regulate the heart.


s: To solace those who grieve one must have felt


s: In his own heart the rending pangs of pain;


s: The heart that suffers not will never melt


s: At others' woes, though free from selfish stain;


s: What we have felt and seen we truly know,


s: And thus endowed, our tears for others flow.


s: So leave thy much-loved lyre awhile unstrung


s: With brain renewed, with vigorous heart and lung


s: Take up thy work once more, and greater fame--


s: For thou hast treasure on the other shore.


s: And each the words "well done" shall hear,


s: Some men there are who stand so straight,


s: Of these high-priests, whose shadows fall


s: That with true zeal _tact_ have a share.


s: Choose well their bait and guard their steps;


s: And its boughs both strong and spreading,


s: Those men are deemed heroes who rush on the foe


s: Regardless of danger, and seek not to know


s: Stern duty demands it--why should they falter


s: If all they hold dear is laid on the altar,


s: The greatest of all is the man who can say


s: When battle is over and foe gained the day,


s: My plan miscarried through miscalculation;


s: On me rests the blame, and not on the nation:


s: In George Stewart White, and men of like mind,


s: Our nation can rest, for in them you will find


s: Their failures acknowledged are failures no more;


s: "Thank God, we have kept the flag floating."--_General White._


s: Some men, like French, display much dash;


s: Their sword-blades like the lightning flash,


s: Reduced their strength through lack of food,


s: "The fault was mine," thy language then,


s: But those who wrought with God will prove


s: My neighbor's farm and mine lie side by side,


s: And nothing should our mutual trust divide;


s: Were guided by the stars, the records say,


s: So that the line that marks out our domain


s: Is indistinct, and puzzling doubts remain.


s: Our farms are large, and portions near the line


s: With rocky soil and stunted spruce and pine,


s: With scarce a wigwam or a ranger's hearth,


s: We left untilled, and deemed of little worth;


s: When man discovers mines of yellow gold.


s: "Where is the boundary line?" is now the cry.


s: Each stakes his claim and gives his reason why;


s: The other closed the gates and gained the day


s: And stores for man and beast that inland pour.


s: Each claimed his own, whatever that may be,


s: Yet, neighbors true, we feared to disagree.


s: We studied maps and treaties old and new,


s: Yet each his own line-fence declared was true;


s: Then, to avoid unseemly strife, we chose


s: To settle our dispute as friends, not foes.


s: My neighbor chose three men in his employ,


s: I three, at least, accepted them with joy;


s: For boundary fence, between his farm and mine.


s: I _lost my case_--all but one narrow lane!


s: All other gates are closed, but why complain?


s: But self-respect remains--nor place for hate;


s: O'er our line-fence we grasp each other's hand,


s: And with fringe-like leaves, without a trace


s: Of coarseness, either in flower or stem,


s: Thy bloom is constant through all the year;


s: My room is bright with thy smiling eyes,


s: Thou hast done thy part, my little pet--


s: But guard with care all thy tender leaves


s: And growing crown, which the earth-crust heaves.


s: Thou dost heaven-ward tend, aspiring high,


s: My sweet primrose--they are smiling, too.


s: Like maddened steeds, down hillside steep.


s: Puffed up, I fear, at times, with pride,


s: Our lands and hearts are linked at last.


s: The "Stars and Stripes" my cousin rears,


s: Adorned each brow with fragrant flowers,


s: Heaven's joy transcends the joys of earth,


s: Life's burdens lose full half their weight


s: Which hides some glory 'neath its spread.


s: Of breasts thrust thro', and bodies gored,


s: Much more now, midst the rain and slime,


s: Stand to your arms the whole night thro'


s: And you, ye Scots, your lights blow out,


s: 'Midst shocks of corn your shelter seek,


s: The voice of prayer in tones which stirred


s: Ere shone the first faint streak of morn,


s: Stretched out full length in quiet sleep,


s: Their movements when the trump was heard,


s: While high and strong was Cromwell's boast,


s: Loud Cromwell cried. _The work was done._


s: 'Midst lightning's flash and thunder's roar;


s: The foe's true strength he did not know,


s: To hold their ploughs instead of shields?


s: Scatters like leaves their untrained men.


s: "_Charge, in the name of the Most High!_"


s: And fires men's hearts with glance and shout.


s: The heavens were black, the storm still raged,


s: Brought to the dust their haughty pride;


s: And _Truth and Peace_ had gained the day.


s: "Yes, ma, but touch their tongues with oil,


s: Though formed to thrill with pleasure true,


s: The leaf is faded, and decayed the flower,


s: The birds have ceased to sing in wayside bower,


s: The babbling brook is silenced by the cold,


s: And hill and vale the frost and snow enfold.


s: The life we see seems hasting to the tomb


s: Nor sun, nor star, relieves the dismal gloom;


s: The good man suffers with the base and vile,


s: And honesty and truth give place to guile.


s: Things are not always as they seem to be;


s: The summer sleeps beneath the quilt of snow,


s: Behind the clouds is hid the solar glow,


s: The babbling brook will burst its icy bands,


s: And birds will sing, and trees will clap their hands.


s: And flowers will bloom of brightest hue and kind;


s: For when we look beneath the outward crust


s: With vision clear, and free from worldly lust,


s: We will behold a brighter world than this,


s: With less of curse and much of noble bliss;


s: For God's kind hand in all our conflicts here


s: Is clearly seen and doubts must disappear;


s: The fire will dross consume and gold refine.


s: Five hundred years have nearly passed away


s: Since that glad morn, when o'er fair Bethl'hem's plain


s: Shone down from heaven, and holy angels deign


s: To sing the sweetest song e'er heard by mortal ear,


s: Which fills sad hearts with joy and drives away their fear.


s: Clovis, of the brave Franks, the king, and sheen,


s: Matchless in feature, and of graceful mein--


s: "The daughter of Chilperic, the Burgundian king,


s: Clotilda is her name; fair maids her praises sing.


s: "She dwells among the Alps, in forest glade,


s: And by the shore of its most famous lake;


s: But fairer than that land is this fair maid;


s: And brighter than its peaks at morn's awake;


s: A Christian girl is she, whose heart God has renewed,


s: And her fine, comely mind with grace and truth embued."


s: To this fair damsel, whom he hoped to wed;


s: She took the ring; and soon fair songsters sing


s: This lovely Christian maid. They plight their nuptial vows;


s: And the old priest invoked a blessing on their brows.


s: And she sat down by Clovis on his throne;


s: And never was a throne so highly graced,


s: Nor ever monarch felt less sad and lone;


s: He found in her a bride, and counsellor, as well,


s: And happy are the men who in her palace dwell.


s: In tones of eloquence and words of power,


s: The wond'rous story of the cross she told;


s: Christ's lowly birth, pure life, and of the hour


s: When He, to bring us to the heavenly fold,


s: Bore on the cross our sins, and opened mercy's door,


s: Then from the dead arose to reign for evermore.


s: A foe too strong; for soon, though no weakling,


s: Clovis retreats--his men returned no blow;


s: But fled as timid sheep before a beast of prey;


s: The conquering Alemanni will surely win the day.


s: "O king! cry on Clotilda's Christ for aid!"


s: Then, on his helmet, Clovis his hand laid,


s: And lifting it, these words the monarch said:


s: "My gods have failed to help: O Christ, Clotilda's God,


s: Grant me Thy mighty aid, and I will kiss Thy rod."


s: On the French pennons triumph perches now;


s: The symbol of her faith; for 'neath the rod


s: Of the eternal King he bows his regal will,


s: And waits, with heart devout, Christ's purpose to fulfil.


s: On Rheims now dawns a cloudless Christmas morn;


s: And flags of silk and satin grace each tower;


s: This is the day Clotilda's Christ was born,


s: And to His cause a great triumphal hour,


s: For see, on carpet stretched from church to palace door,


s: A grand procession march, of two-score priests or more!


s: Assisted by his priests, on monarch's brow,


s: And on the brows of full six thousand men,


s: The water from the font he sprinkled down like rain,


s: Thankful that his blest Lord so many hearts should gain.


s: Seems covered o'er with celestial light;


s: And not down here, in this world of strife;


s: And the world grows better by its advent,


s: Neither wind, nor wave, occasioned dread;


s: Though the contrast oft produced a sigh;


s: This lovely lily must have had its birth.


s: Dive down in search, where the root is found;


s: While speckled frogs, and the slimy eels,


s: Around its roots find their daily meals.


s: And rise, through grace, to a higher sphere,


s: Their hearts in heaven, and their root down here.


s: Though foul the world where they have their growth,


s: The blood of Christ does their stains remove;


s: As lilies pure are these plants of grace,


s: The Shah Jehan sat with his much-loved wife,


s: In a cool arbor far from courtly strife,


s: In silence played they long their game of chess,


s: But Jehan's eyes rose oft to Mahal's brow,


s: His ardent love he could not well repress,


s: He stayed the game to breathe some words of love


s: And press her lips with lips that knew no guile,


s: And felt the thrill, and peace like white-winged dove


s: Flew down, and she repaid with loving smile.


s: Then said, "What would you do if I should die?"


s: He paused a moment, some bright thought to woo,


s: And then, in solemn tone, made this reply:


s: "This thing, by Allah's help, I'll surely do:


s: "I'll build upon the spot where we now sit


s: For never have such tints thy bosom clad.


s: "Of pure white marble shall its walls be built,


s: Adorned with gold, and earth's most costly gems;


s: "Then to the world it shall the truth proclaim


s: And I esteemed her more than gold or fame:


s: Thus cycles vast will find our names combined."


s: The summer breeze now sighed among the flowers


s: As they play on with solemn thoughts; and sweet


s: As running brook passed by the pleasant hours,


s: And likewise passed the burning summer heat.


s: And like the fading day, the Empress, too,


s: For scarce a year had passed ere set her sun,


s: Thought of the tomb his loving wife had won.


s: From far and near he sought with eager heart.


s: At last there came one Issa, gifted sage,


s: Whose plan pleased the great shah in whole and part.


s: On the same spot where they that day had played


s: The game of chess, and he the promise gave,


s: The massive stone foundation strong was laid,


s: On which would rest a palace o'er her grave.


s: Then Issa disappeared, but where, none knew;


s: Cast in the Jumna stream, by foes, some thought.


s: They dragged the stream, nor came the slightest clue,


s: The years rolled by, yet Jehan rested not,


s: Tho' hope, so long delayed, engendered gloom,


s: But no inferior hand must touch her tomb.


s: Seven years had gone, when Issa came again,


s: "The soil is spongy all along this glen--


s: "I now can build on base that will not sink,


s: Though pierced the clouds which bend so kindly down,


s: 'Twere fit this long delay, dost thou not think?


s: So chide me not nor on thy servant frown."


s: Then on this base as firm as granite rock,


s: He built its walls as fair as falling snow,


s: And built them well, nor storm, nor earthquake shock


s: Has moved, tho' built two hundred years ago.


s: For ten long years wrought twenty thousand men,


s: While many thousand carts the marble drew;


s: And proud Jehan told o'er his love again;


s: To love so Jacob-like the years seemed few.


s: From every part of his domain they brought


s: Rare gems and precious stones of every hue;


s: Skilled hands, in form of birds and flowers inwrought


s: In snow-white walls, these gems the building through,


s: The name of God, one hundred times save one,


s: Then lined with gold ere they pronounced it done;


s: By Titans built, it seems, as mountain high


s: Of pure white marble, based on pink sandstone;


s: In length it is a thousand feet well nigh,


s: Its width three hundred feet by measure shown.


s: Though tomb to hide the dust of Jehan's queen.


s: It serves each purpose well--her course was run,


s: Returned to God, love must the dust ensheen.


s: To many hearts it speaks of God and rest,


s: And lifts our thoughts above the things of earth;


s: It teaches us that love will give its best,


s: And then regard its gifts of little worth.


s: The yeoman lays aside his soil-stained smock,


s: And from his herd selects a trusty steed,


s: And sallies forth to help in hour of need;


s: The artisan from mine, or shop, or store,


s: Nor stops to ask, "What will my nation pay?"


s: The man of law--the herald of the cross--


s: The painter, skilled--he of the healing art--


s: The man of trade--come each with loyal heart,


s: But brave as these are those of noble birth;


s: Genteel in manner, but with athlete frames,


s: They do full honor to their ancient names,


s: Palatial homes have they and wealth untold;


s: Nor need to labor, and no cause for fret,


s: But deeds of noble sires they ne'er forget;


s: Brave lads are these on whom we may rely.


s: They go uncalled, content the gaps to fill,


s: And in their places fall, if God so will,


s: From far-off East, brave Indians seek the fray,


s: And on French soil have clearly shown that they


s: Their old-time leader greets his men once more,


s: Bestows his parting blessing ere his death,


s: And praised their valor with his final breath,


s: Our own brave youth by thousands answer call,


s: And in our common cause enroll their names;


s: With cultured minds and well-developed frames


s: For _truth_ and _brotherhood_ all face the foe;


s: Themselves they cannot save, but others may.


s: But, live or die, they hope to win the day.


s: And sought from Him strength for her day.


s: The song, "God save the Queen," is sung.


s: "_God bless our Queen! Long may she reign!_"


s: And charms no more earth's pomp and pride,


s: A stately church by pious hands erected long ago,


s: Was found to lack a vesper bell, by which the poor might know


s: The hour of prayer, the hour of mass, and who had lately died,


s: The hour when gent and bonny lass, so timid at his side,


s: Would stand before the surpliced priest, and twain would pledge


s: The hour in which the priest would vent on heretic his wrath.


s: The faithful then were called upon to bring from home and mine


s: The metal for the holy bell, which must be strong and fine.


s: In smelting pot of massive size they placed the needed ore;


s: A molten mass it soon became, but ere in mould they pour,


s: And thus provide a bell for God to grace His temple fair,


s: In crowds the people came, to see the metal glowing there.


s: Then as they passed, with hearts devout, each took a silver coin


s: And dropped it in the glowing mass--no priest did this enjoin.


s: Nor did they hope to win applause from priest and saintly friar;


s: If God were pleased they asked no more, nor more did they desire;


s: And calling forth from old and young a burst of rapturous praise.


s: And ring aloud in thunder tones wherever man is found.


s: Oh, may we, by kind words and deeds, give it a silver sound!


s: And skillfully will blend them with the coarser ore of earth,


s: And grander music none have heard e'er since time had its birth.


s: Then from this bell of silver tone will sound o'er hill and vale:


s: The luscious fruits which please the taste


s: Yet through the fields and round each bend


s: Who placed you there? "I cannot explain,"


s: "But this I know, I'm the children's pride,


s: As they think I fell from an angel's wing,


s: And coming to earth must rich blessings bring.


s: The sun shone out, and I turned to spray,


s: Then I mingled with my old friends again,


s: Who were my neighbors in the haunts of men.


s: Sometimes hard tossed by the tempest strong,


s: Though much enlarged, the wise savants say;


s: Though I cannot tell you how long my sleep,


s: By the cold compressed to a drop of dew;


s: Then down I fell, swift as bounding deer,


s: And knew no more till I fell right here;


s: Farewell, my boy! but you must not fret;


s: Or whatever the Wise One may make of me."


s: But though sore pressed and grief distressed,


s: Man's _soul_, the gem of priceless worth,


s: Transformed by grace, God's love to tell;


s: As they heavenward rise, tier upon tier,


s: With clearly-marked space of blue between,


s: Compared with which human art looks mean.


s: Do the angels tread this grand staircase,


s: When they come to earth to bless our race,


s: And lend their aid to each struggling soul


s: That reached from heaven to the mattress green


s: The servant's cry would to heaven arise,


s: And blessings fall from the bending skies?


s: Nor beams of light do their message bring.


s: A moment's time and the space is passed,


s: And heaven's best gifts at our feet are cast.


s: Connects this earth with the land of song;


s: The Saviour bends from the opening skies--


s: To dwell with Thee in the realms of day.


s: Hiding the scars which convulsions have made;


s: Blessing the mound where our angel was laid;


s: Clothing with beauty the rotten and dead;


s: Sheathing from storm-blasts the young forest tree--


s: Seldom deemed worthy some corner to share


s: In the bouquets that are cast in the way


s: Princely feet tread on reception's proud day;


s: Humble your bloom, but your mission is kind.


s: Those will most prize you who knew you the best.


s: But tell to the world, "as life he passed through,


s: He covered some scars and aimed to be true."


s: The hills are clad in purple and in gold,


s: The ripened maize is gathered in the shock,


s: The frost has kissed the nuts, their shells unfold,


s: And fallen leaves are floating on the lock.


s: The flowers their many-colored petals drop;


s: But seed-pods full and ripe they leave behind,


s: But still the dahlia blooms, and pansies, too;


s: The golden-rod still rears its yellow crest.


s: The luscious grape has donned its purple vest.


s: The forest trees, so long arrayed in green,


s: Wear now a robe like Joseph's coat of old,


s: Brighter than that on eastern satrap seen,


s: Tho' clad was he in purple and fine gold.


s: Blends with its purple-red a brighter shade.


s: Tho' we know well this glory soon must fade.


s: The fields are green with grass and new-sown wheat,


s: Tho' here and there a brown stalk may appear,


s: The peach puts on its blush like virtuous maid,


s: The gourd its snow-white band like brow of nun,


s: While flower and gum the air with fragrance lade.


s: The swallows gather on the fence and wire,


s: Chatter a loud farewell to barn and nest,


s: And then on wings which never seem to tire


s: They fly away in southern bowers to rest.


s: The thrush no longer sings its tender song


s: The blackbird lingers by the flowing brook,


s: Or perches proudly on the shock of corn;


s: The lark still hovers round its meadow nook,


s: And soars and sings as on a vernal morn.


s: The robin, too, is loth to quit the lawn


s: And visits yet his nest beneath the eaves;


s: I hear his cheering notes at early dawn--


s: To part with these old friends my spirit grieves.


s: But soon these feathered songsters must away,


s: Ere winter's frosts shall chill them thro' and thro';


s: In other lands they find the summer day,


s: The opening flower, and the refreshing dew.


s: The air, tho' chill, is not surcharged with death,


s: But health-inspiring germs it bears along.


s: We drink in vigor with our every breath,


s: And life appears like spring, each day a song.


s: God spreads a carpet for our weary feet,


s: Richer than those which grace the palace floor;


s: The rainbow hues are in it all complete,


s: And tints, I think, of full a thousand more.


s: God with His hands of wind for woof collects


s: The forest leaves, and weaves them with the grass,


s: With nap of richest hues the fabric decks,


s: And spreads it out for feet of every class.


s: A haze at times may veil the smiling sky,


s: The sun his golden locks exchange for gray;


s: But soon a western blast comes sweeping by--


s: The mists depart, and glory crowns the day.


s: The lowing cattle roam from field to field;


s: No more content in narrow bounds to stay;


s: Their every ill, and lo, the dull beasts play.


s: This season has its lesson each should learn--


s: But whether like the stately tree, or fern,


s: We look not for the Winter, but the Spring,


s: When we shall glow in beauty from the skies;


s: Each now his tribute sheaf of praise should bring,


s: Then hear his Lord's "Well done!" O glorious prize.


s: With some sombre lines thrown in between,


s: And to grace the robe of his royal bride


s: No pains are spared, nor a tint untried,


s: Lo beauty glows on the earth's fair brow!


s: The sparkling dewdrops at morn are seen,


s: Buttercups and daisies growing everywhere,


s: In the field of clover, on the hillside fair,


s: And in lovely valley, tilled with greatest care.


s: Naught but weeds and rubbish, in the farmer's eyes,


s: Drawing off the nurture from the grain they prize,


s: And their great luxuriance sore their patience tries.


s: But the dews of heaven give them richest bloom,


s: And their smiling beauty drives away our gloom;


s: For such little beauties surely there is room.


s: In this world of sorrow flowers ne'er bloom in vain,


s: Though they in their blooming sap the golden grain,


s: And drink in the moisture of the latter rain;


s: For our Heavenly Father deemed it wise and good


s: To diffuse this beauty with the grain for food.


s: And this wise arrangement He has never rued.


s: Teaching us this lesson we are slow to learn;


s: Man lives not for eating, nor for duties stern,


s: But to serve God's pleasure, then to Him return.


s: Room for joy is given and for purest bliss,


s: And we may all find them in a world like this,


s: If our aims are sordid all this gold we miss;


s: But if we are faithful and to God inclined,


s: Seeing Him in nature, and of heavenly mind,


s: Aiming to be like Him, and by grace refined,


s: We shall live forever where there is no gloom;


s: Though the path to glory leadeth through the tomb;


s: But a moment's darkness--flowers that ever bloom.


s: 'Tis said, long since an angel came to earth,


s: Sent by his Lord, to help with loving hand


s: A suffering one, afflicted from his birth.


s: The limb was healed as by divine command,


s: But He felt weak, for strength from Him had gone,


s: A sacrifice which love could not withhold;


s: So he sought shelter till the morning dawn,


s: But none received--they prized not love, but gold.


s: Then 'neath a rose bush did the angel lie,


s: When much refreshed he sought his home on high,


s: He said to sheltering rose, in loving voice,


s: "What man refused thou hast afforded me.


s: What is thy wish? Make known to me thy choice;


s: The God of love and power will grant it thee!"


s: "I ask no brighter hue," the rose replied,


s: "Both old and young smile on me as they pass,


s: And hide among the locks of lovely lass;


s: With fragrance, too, I own myself content,


s: For naught on earth surpasses me in this;


s: "I feel the cold, both in my bark and bud,


s: When Autumn winds sweep o'er the western hill,


s: And frozen dewdrops oft my branches stud,


s: Which mar my beauty and my juices chill.


s: Give me an extra garb, 'tis all I lack."


s: "Thou hast thy wish, I shelter found in thee,


s: I take delight in kind to pay thee back.


s: Then touched the angel bark, and bud, and leaf,


s: And soft green moss suffused it o'er and o'er.


s: Plucked off a bud, which he to heaven bore;


s: And now the rose smiles at the raging storm,


s: Defies the wind and nipping frost as well;


s: Its fragrance still retains, and lovely form,


s: While nestling budlets this old story tell.


s: I fear not, my Father, the tempest's loud roar,


s: Nor dread the huge breakers on the rock-girded shore;


s: Thy presence is with me, my refuge is near,


s: With help all-sufficient; oh, why should I fear?


s: Tho' billows of sorrow should roll o'er my head,


s: My sun sink in darkness, and joys be all dead,


s: Thy presence will cheer me, and spectres will flee,


s: For who can molest me while trusting in thee?


s: The air is chill with the frost of doubt,


s: They do not hear the great Victor's shout;


s: "The old gives place to the new," they say,


s: "The world is stirred to its very heart,


s: With systems old, we are loathe to part,


s: The world now heaves like the great sea's breast,


s: And looking up, by sore grief oppressed,


s: I will not fear, though the earth should rock,


s: But rest in peace midst the tempest's shock,


s: To still the world with His mighty hand,


s: Come, deck your brows with leaves and flowers,


s: Then prize earth's joys, but prize much more


s: The night of affliction, with its long hours of sadness,


s: Will soon pass away to be remembered no more;


s: And the weeping will end in a morning of gladness;


s: For no sorrow is known on the evergreen shore.


s: In this world we shall have tribulation and sorrow;


s: 'Tis enough for the subject to be as his king;


s: But if we are faithful, joy will come with the morrow,


s: And with the blood-washed a new song shall we sing.


s: Where ne'er come hell's dreaded legions.


s: Such food would give both strength and cheer


s: The search for Truth with pleasure thrills;


s: If in that past the conscience was supreme;


s: But if the soul be made an auction mart,


s: And thoughts and deeds be sold for what you deem


s: The price of virtue, then the called-up past


s: Will be like hooks of steel to hold thee fast.


s: Or like the stings those nettles left behind


s: I deemed the friend who warned me true and kind,


s: And in great haste I threw the weeds away,


s: 'Twere safer far from all such weeds to flee.


s: The cloud that flitted o'er the saintly brow


s: Which now a crown of life so well adorns,


s: When you by ways and means you know not now,


s: Did what your soul with holy horror scorns,


s: Will stay with you long as you live on earth,


s: And be like gall to spoil your cup of mirth.


s: The smiles of those we bless are lasting, too;


s: We feel their cheering glow each cloudy day.


s: As falls on wilted flower the healing dew,


s: So they refresh, and chase our gloom away;


s: We feel though weak we have not lived in vain,


s: And know God smiles tho' we cannot explain.


s: The footprints on the rock time wears away;


s: The rock itself soon crumbles into dust;


s: But memories of the past have come to stay,


s: Nor flood, nor fire, nor the consuming rust,


s: Guard thou thy life, O man, with heavenly grace.


s: Of marchings long, and hardships by the way,


s: Of burdens borne, oft in the heat of day,


s: 'Tis then as right the victor claims the spoil.


s: The world admires the wreath upon his brow,


s: And how to gain it he had all things lost.


s: Results men see, but not the _when_, or _how_.


s: The stately elm which rears its head so high,


s: And spreads abroad so gracefully its boughs,


s: Beneath which may repose a herd of cows,


s: Grows under ground as well as toward the sky.


s: The bridge which spans the swiftly-flowing stream


s: O'er which the iron horse, by night and day,


s: With heavy tread speeds on its busy way,


s: Rests not on sand, nor slender post and beam.


s: The mason safely laid the buttress stone,


s: And labored long before his work was shown;


s: But he built well--his work endures each shock.


s: This work takes time; we chafe at the delay


s: But find full soon our hopes dashed to the ground;


s: Yet there remains for all the _royal way_.


s: Must heed the word of Him who came to serve,


s: Nor from this path a single moment swerve,


s: If he the great reward would surely gain.


s: This is the royal way--_to serve in love_--


s: Like Him who gave His life to ransom thee;


s: Then shalt thou sit with Him on throne above.


s: The well-built house with walls of brick, or stone,


s: May tremble some if struck by the cyclone;


s: The most established saint may trials feel,


s: As flint may turn the edge of finest steel.


s: Allied with foes of our own flesh and blood,


s: Yet tho' he trembles, stands in strength divine;


s: The top may sway, but base feels not the shock;


s: His heart is fixed, nor earth nor hell can move;


s: They wrench not loose, but his allegiance prove.


s: Christ wept with Mary at her brother's grave;


s: Laid down His life a rebel world to save;


s: Tried, like ourselves, and like us too, infirm,


s: Let us be like Him while we sojourn here,


s: Then storms and earthquakes we need never fear.


s: Their gleaming swords hang at their sides,


s: He stood his ground 'gainst mighty odds,


s: Each human life with mysteries is replete;


s: And at each turn we must their problems meet.


s: Reason is blind, and fails their end to see,


s: And from this spring much turbid waters flow.


s: Only the pure in heart from doubt are free;


s: They read aright the writing on the wall


s: Which solves the problems of our earthly lot;


s: To them God draws aside the veil, and shows


s: The golden threads with which the garment glows,


s: And why one dwells in palace, one in cot,


s: And how His love is working good to all.


s: And love holds out midst flood and fire.


s: For Thou art knowledge, power, and love,


s: An artist skilled beyond the sons of men


s: With pleasure scanned the pictures on the wall,


s: Rare works of art, each one pronounced a gem,


s: The product of his hand, both great and small;


s: Each filled its place in the designer's plan;


s: Conceived in full before the work began.


s: Pleased was the artist with results as shown;


s: It needed this, as palace needs a throne,


s: But _throne_ a _king_--then is perfection gained,


s: When his great masterpiece hangs in its place,


s: And the great artist looks in his own face.


s: Look down, ye Alleghenies, into the Conemaugh vale,


s: And see the rising waters, and hear the bitter wail;


s: The swollen streams now empty their contents in the lake,


s: The waters rise to kiss the skies and walls of granite shake.


s: Oh, hear that awful booming; the dam has given way!


s: An avalanche of water God's hand alone can stay!


s: Oh, leap, ye hills, before it and keep this torrent back,


s: Or devastated towns and homes will mark its onward track!


s: Look down, ye Alleghenies, upon this vale of woe;


s: Ten thousand corpses at your base their soulless faces show;


s: Some hid beneath the debris, some covered o'er with slime,


s: Their spirits fled to meet their God, beyond the shores of time.


s: The aged sire and lassie; the careworn mother, too,


s: Their plans and purposes cut off, no power to love or strike.


s: Bow down, ye Alleghenies, and weep o'er thousands slain,


s: Who yesterday were all intent this present world to gain.


s: Their active brain is sleeping, their busy hands are still,


s: Bright hopes are blasted in an hour, ambitions cease to thrill;


s: Their mansions, with their bodies, the flood has borne away--


s: The rich and poor together rest till resurrection day.


s: Now leap for joy, ye mountains, for all is not in vain!


s: For as it was in Noah's flood, it ever will remain!


s: God cares for those who love Him; He holds them in His hand,


s: And wind and wave obey His will, and rest at His command;


s: Some sank beneath the freshet, and now with others lie,


s: But God prepared another ark to bear their souls on high.


s: See, floating with the wreckage, borne onward by the tide,


s: A loving mother with her babe close sheltered at her side;


s: One hand has grasped a rafter, the other guards her child;


s: Oh, how she pleads with God and man in accents loud and wild!


s: Men hear but give no answer, no human hand can save;


s: Her voice, alas, is hushed in death by the relentless wave;


s: But God has heard her pleading, and now His angel bears


s: The prophet heard the elders sing, of "Moses and the Lamb."


s: And see this lovely maiden, a mother's hope and pride,


s: The sunbeam of a Christian home, and the affianced bride


s: Of one who loved her dearly, and loved her not in vain,


s: For he had won a loyal heart, and hand without a stain;


s: But he lies 'neath the billows, and she will join him soon.


s: Hark! hark! she sings in accents sweet, to old familiar tune!


s: Her prayer, also, is answered, for see, the roof is bare!


s: The current swept the slippery raft, the maiden is not there!


s: An angel band descended, her lover led the way,


s: And now she joins her loved and lost in realms of endless day!


s: Look down, ye Alleghenies, from your colossal heights,


s: And witness an heroic deed, bright gleam 'midst horrid sights.


s: See, _Periton_ has mounted his famous large bay steed,


s: And flies, not to the mountains, but at his greatest speed


s: He gallops down the valley, to warn of pending fate,


s: And cries aloud, "Flee for your lives! flee, ere it be too late!


s: The Conemaugh dam is broken, destruction comes apace!


s: Leave all and to the mountains flee; leave all and win the race!"


s: Each creek becomes a river, each pool a little sea,


s: The tidal wave comes rushing on, men know not where to flee,


s: But on he rides, still shouting, as angels did of old,


s: His horse now shares his spirit, and leaps each swollen stream.


s: Obedient to his rider's rein, resolved to do or die.


s: Some heed our hero's warning. See, toward the hills they fly!


s: Will _Periton_ now turn aside, or like a hero die?


s: Straight on he goes, brave fellow; to turn aside he scorned,


s: His life he deems of little worth if other men be warned.


s: We honor those brave soldiers, who scaled the rampart height,


s: To plant the standard of their queen in the defence of right,


s: The fire was hot before them, and bursting shells o'erhead,


s: No comrade's cheer to urge him on, no bugle blast was blown,


s: Nor grand review to follow if he should win the day;


s: But thoughts of self were all too weak his onward course to stay.


s: Spur up your steed, brave fellow--the flood is at his heels!


s: Too late! the waves now gird him round; the gallant rider reels;


s: Entombed beneath the debris his warning voice is stilled,


s: But he, I trust, ran not in vain; his mission is fulfilled.


s: Like Jesus, he saved others, yet _would_ not save himself;


s: Yet wind and wave awoke him not, and thunders roared in vain.


s: His spirit had ascended, death set the hero free,


s: And God shall say in His great day, "_Thou didst it unto Me!_"


s: Look down, ye Alleghenies, with ever-darkening frown,


s: Upon the selfishness which caused the ruin of Johnstown.


s: A reservoir was fashioned, of full three miles in length,


s: An inland lake, kept back by dam of insufficient strength;


s: No mills were driven by it; no water-works supplied;


s: A few rich men, for selfish sport, claimed all these waters wide.


s: They rode upon its surface in skiff, and bark canoe,


s: Ten thousand lives were less to them than fish thus daily caught.


s: Turned not aside to strengthen it till came the fateful day;


s: But God, who rules the nations, to whom all bow the knee,


s: Will say to them on judgment day, "_Ye did it not to Me._"


s: Nor how the words with the air may blend,


s: But though now faint will be heard again,


s: The faintest moan like the roaring tide;


s: Like tramp of horse on the stone-paved street.


s: So, though now faint, will those voices be,


s: Which we address to the friends we love,


s: But, unlike those, all the echoes heard,


s: Of angry tones, and each sword-like word;


s: The Judge shall mete in full measure then.


s: The thoughts we think may be lasting, too,


s: On the tissued walls of the soul's great dome,


s: May be found those thoughts ne'er more to roam.


s: And like our thoughts, may we not become


s: The thought we think, be ourselves the sum?


s: May thoughts of God on my heart be graved,


s: Where grasses rank and mammoth rushes grow,


s: And playful fish their bright fins nimbly shake,


s: And tho' the waves around them daily surged,


s: Upon the bending grass they safely rode.


s: Content were they with life as there enjoyed;


s: To brighter world they never had aspired,


s: Had they not felt unfilled an aching void,


s: In sapphire robes, 'midst gleams of golden light,


s: Above their present world, so dank and chill,


s: Where all day long they wing their happy flight


s: But some essayed to doubt if it were so.


s: One volunteered that he would upward go,


s: To bring report; but he was not full grown,


s: And fainted when he reached the surface air,


s: And falling, round a reed his form he curled,


s: Then cried, "Delusion! I have been up there.


s: And could not find a trace of brighter world."


s: Yet others could not still the voice within,


s: They called a council; but it caused some din,


s: And all their efforts seemed at first to fail,


s: Till one wise head suggested this compact,


s: Expressed, no doubt, in dragon larva lore;


s: That if that brighter life were actual fact,


s: And all who rose in golden sunshine soar,


s: Each must return to tell the joyful tale,


s: And o'er the waters shake his sapphire wings,


s: So all may see, and their bright comrade hail,


s: And talk about the tidings which he brings.


s: Now each returns, clad in his bright array;


s: Skims o'er the grassy lake with gauze-like wings,


s: Attracts their notice by his plumage gay,


s: And they collect to hear the news he brings.


s: Then, holding fast, he buzzes out his song,


s: And seeks to woo them to a brighter world.


s: And he succeeds; for see, the larva strong


s: Climb up the grass, and soon in light enfurled,


s: They wait the growth of wings, then burst their shells,


s: Shake loose the gauzy folds, and soar away;


s: But soon come back again their joy to tell,


s: And help their brothers to a brighter day.


s: Perhaps our loved ones do not always stay


s: In far-off heaven, and leave their comrades lone;


s: Tho' yet unseen, may hover round our way,


s: And see our toil, and hear our daily moan;


s: And tho' we cannot see their lovely forms,


s: Nor hear full well the whispers of their voice,


s: May shield us oft in life's tempestuous storms,


s: And when we victories gain, with us rejoice.


s: They whisper _thoughts_, perhaps, if not word sounds,


s: And help to waken longings for our rest;


s: And thus allure our hearts beyond earth's bounds


s: To joy and home, upon our Saviour's breast.


s: O may I heed the whispers which they bring,


s: And seek the grace which will my heart prepare


s: To climb from earth and take on angel wing,


s: Then soar aloft, to find my home up _there_!


s: As the caged eagle neared the mountain range,


s: O'er which he oft had soared on pinions strong,


s: He clapped his wings, moved by some impulse strange,


s: And then fell dead his prison floor along.


s: So Moses stood on Pisgah's heights alone,


s: With sight undimmed, and unabated strength;


s: He gazed with rapture on the vision shown,


s: Of the fair land in all its breadth and length;


s: He saw the vale of Eschol clad with vine,


s: Mount Libbanus adorned with lordly trees,


s: Gilead and Achor, with their lowing kine,


s: And verdant Sharon swept by the sea breeze;


s: He saw the spot where Jacob's ladder stood,


s: The oaks at Mamre where their father prayed,


s: Saw Bashan with its pastures and its wood,


s: And the rude cave where Abram Sarah laid.


s: Saw the whole land--its hills and vales and streams,


s: Its lakes and pools, its vineyards and its groves,


s: A wealth and glory far beyond his dreams;


s: Better, it seemed, than all earth's treasure troves.


s: God then revealed a glimpse of His own face,


s: Which Moses once desired, but God withheld,


s: The battle fought, and every passion quelled.


s: Snaps, in an instant, life's frail brittle cord,


s: So is it, likewise, with most dying saints;


s: The spirit then breaks thro' this world's restraints,


s: And enters into heaven's effulgent light.


s: Not sorrow snaps the silver cord, but joy;


s: Not woe, but bliss, expands the golden bowl.


s: The pitcher breaks when free from earth's alloy,


s: And fails the wheel when heaven has filled the soul.


s: Thy will is good, and with wisdom fraught,


s: At times my vessel drifts near the shore,


s: The surf-capped waves swell more and more,


s: Till God receives His weak, erring child,


s: Brave soul, 'twere well if all the same would say,


s: And artists aim their patron's wish t'obey.


s: Leave both, skilled hand, and paint us as we are.


s: The crowfeet paint, the wrinkles on the brow,


s: The hollow cheek, the form inclined to bow,


s: The tear-dim'd eye, the hair well streaked with gray,


s: The hardened hand, begrim'd with soot and clay,


s: And if you use the seer's revealing glass,


s: Remember this, "_All flesh is as the grass._"


s: When the French soldier from the field returned,


s: Begrimed with smoke and blood, he felt content,


s: As from Napoleon he this fact had learned,


s: That thro' his marshall, medals would be sent,


s: The name of battlefield each one would bear,


s: And, also, in large letters, "_I was there._"


s: In others' triumphs we may well rejoice,


s: If in their triumphs good to us redounds;


s: And our rejoicings are but empty sounds.


s: If you would in the victor's glory share,


s: Be then prepared to add this, "_I was there!_"


s: He stood his ground 'midst storms of shot and shell;


s: Thro' his brave stand the foe has been o'erthrown,


s: And he alone the victor's tale can tell.


s: He now lies down to die 'neath glory's glare,


s: For he can say to others, "_I was there!_"


s: Not in some neutral nook must we remain;


s: The battle rages, we must share the strife;


s: The world, once lost, we must for Christ regain,


s: Who share His conflicts will His glory share;


s: Then looking down to earth say, "_I was there!_"


s: Those who before the throne are robed in white,


s: Passed thro' the conflict and the foe o'ercame;


s: Boldly they stood as champions for the right,


s: And thus have won thro' grace enduring fame,


s: And when the roll is called, each will declare,


s: "_Here am I, Lord, I fought for Thee down there!_"


s: He loves not much who loves not honor more;


s: If men lack this then love must lack as well;


s: If this possessed no tongue love's depths can tell;


s: The heart an ocean filled from shore to shore.


s: Of likeness to the great and Blessed One;


s: And show my love by yielding him his due;


s: It cannot peace, much less heaven's favor gain;


s: But those who love in deed are blessed and true.


s: I thought of her handsome, smiling face,


s: Through the long years of our wedded life,


s: Our love has grown with the flight of time,


s: And confidence ne'er gives place to doubt,


s: They were happy years, devoid of strife,


s: Illustrated in Colours. BY HELEN BANNERMAN.


s: =VI. A CAT BOOK.= Portraits by H. OFFICER


s: SMITH. Characteristics by E. V. LUCAS. (_Eighth


s: =VII. A FLOWER BOOK.= Illustrated in Colours by


s: =VIII. THE PINK KNIGHT.= Illustrated in Colours


s: MAYER. Verses by T. W. H. CROSLAND. Illustrated


s: =XII. A DOG BOOK.= Illustrated in Colours by


s: She fetched his shoes and darned his hose,


s: Till all its spots were streaks of blue;


s: Knowing these things to be true, we do not hesitate to place this


s: Shakespeare the better for having known and loved Mother Goose.


s: It is through her verses, however, that Mother Goose has won her


s: reprinted the English edition, one being done for John Newbery's


s: I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.


s: He began to compliment, and I began to grin,


s: And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm;


s: So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,


s: Leave them alone, and they'll come home,


s: When the wind blows the cradle will rock;


s: When the bough breaks the cradle will fall,


s: Let's strow around some crumbs of bread,


s: About the bush, Willie, about the bee-hive,


s: About the bush, Willie, I'll meet thee alive.


s: Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,


s: Upstairs and downstairs, in his nightgown;


s: Tapping at the window, crying at the lock:


s: "Are the babes in their beds, for it's now ten o'clock?"


s: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,


s: She had so many children she didn't know what to do.


s: She gave them some broth without any bread,


s: She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.


s: There was an old woman lived under the hill,


s: And if she's not gone she lives there still.


s: Baked apples she sold, and cranberry pies,


s: And she's the old woman that never told lies.


s: Sing a song of sixpence, a bag full of rye,


s: Four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie;


s: When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,


s: And wasn't this a dainty dish to set before the king?


s: The king was in the parlor counting out his money;


s: The queen was in the kitchen eating bread and honey;


s: The maid was in the garden hanging out the clothes,


s: There came a little blackbird and nipped off her nose.


s: The other flew after and then there was none,


s: One of these little birds back again flew,


s: The other came after and then there were two,


s: Says one to the other: "Pray, how do you do?"


s: "Very well, thank you, and pray how are you?"


s: I frightened a little mouse under the chair.


s: And then it will serve for Tommy and me.


s: The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn.


s: What! Is this the way you mind your sheep,


s: There was an old woman tossed in a blanket


s: But where she was going no mortal could tell,


s: "Old woman, old woman, old woman," said I,


s: "Whither, ah whither, ah whither so high?"


s: The man in the south, he burnt his mouth


s: I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen,


s: She washed me the dishes and kept the house clean.


s: She went to the mill to fetch me some flour,


s: And always got home in less than an hour.


s: She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale,


s: She sat by the fire and told many a fine tale.


s: When I was a little boy I lived by myself,


s: And all the bread and cheese I got I put upon a shelf;


s: The rats and the mice, they made such a strife,


s: I was forced to go to London to buy me a wife.


s: The streets were so broad and the lanes were so narrow,


s: I was forced to bring my wife home in a wheelbarrow;


s: The wheelbarrow broke and my wife had a fall,


s: And down came the wheelbarrow, wife and all.


s: 'Twas once upon a time, when Jenny Wren was young,


s: So daintily she danced and so prettily she sung,


s: Robin Redbreast lost his heart, for he was a gallant bird,


s: So he doffed his hat to Jenny Wren, requesting to be heard.


s: "O, dearest Jenny Wren, if you will but be mine,


s: You shall feed on cherry pie and drink new currant wine,


s: I'll dress you like a goldfinch or any peacock gay,


s: So, dearest Jen, if you'll be mine let us appoint the day."


s: Jenny blushed behind her fan and thus declared her mind:


s: "Since, dearest Bob, I love you well, I take your offer kind;


s: Cherry pie is very nice and so is currant wine,


s: But I must wear my plain brown gown and never go too fine."


s: All the king's horses and all the king's men


s: Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again.


s: Little King Boggen he built a fine hall,


s: Pie-crust and pastry-crust, that was the wall;


s: The windows were made of black puddings and white,


s: And slated with pancakes,--you ne'er saw the like!


s: Miss Jane had a bag and a mouse was in it;


s: She opened the bag, he was out in a minute.


s: The cat saw him jump and run under the table,


s: And the dog said: "Catch him, Puss, soon as you're able."


s: Goosey, goosey, gander, where dost thou wander?


s: Upstairs and downstairs and in my lady's chamber;


s: There I met an old man that wouldn't say his prayers,


s: I took him by his hind legs and threw him downstairs.


s: With a petticoat green and a bright yellow gown.


s: Ding--dong--bell, the cat's in the well.


s: And killed the mice in his father's barn.


s: There were two blackbirds sitting on a hill,


s: One named Jack and the other named Jill.


s: Says little Robin Redbreast: "Catch me if you can!"


s: A farmer went trotting upon his gray mare,


s: With his daughter behind him, so rosy and fair,


s: A raven cried "Croak," and they all tumbled down,


s: The mare broke her knees and the farmer his crown,


s: The mischievous raven flew laughing away,


s: And vowed he would serve them the same next day,


s: "Old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing?"


s: "Speak a little louder, sir, I'm very thick o' hearing."


s: "Old woman, old woman, shall I kiss you dearly?"


s: "Thank you, kind sir, I hear very clearly."


s: So 'twixt them both they cleared the cloth,


s: There was an old woman, and what do you think?


s: She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink;


s: Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet,


s: And yet this old woman could never be quiet.


s: He pulled out his pipes and played her a tune,


s: I had a little husband no bigger than my thumb,


s: I put him in a pint pot, and there I bid him drum;


s: I bought a little handkerchief to wipe his little nose,


s: And a pair of little garters to tie his little hose.


s: Old Mother Goose, when she wanted to wander.


s: About the bush, Willie, about the bee-hive.


s: Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town.


s: There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.


s: There was an old man, and he had a calf.


s: There was an old woman lived under the hill.


s: Sing a song of sixpence, a bag full of rye.


s: There was an old woman tossed in a blanket.


s: I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen.


s: When I was a little boy I lived by myself.


s: 'Twas once upon a time when Jenny Wren was young.


s: Little King Boggen he built a fine hall.


s: Miss Jane had a bag and a mouse was in it.


s: Goosey, goosey, gander, where dost thou wander?


s: There were two blackbirds sitting on a hill.


s: A farmer went trotting upon his gray mare.


s: There was an old woman sold puddings and pies.


s: Old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing?


s: There was an old woman, and what do you think?


s: I had a little husband no bigger than my thumb.


s: There was a little boy went into a barn.


s: Printed by G. BARCLAY, Castle St. Leicester Sq.


s: See how the Hen is feeding her Chickens.


s: Tom is trying to catch Fish in the River.


s: These two Boys are playing at Leap-frog.


s: Harry is giving some Bread to a poor Man.


s: Eliza and Mary are playing at Shuttlecock.


s: The Magpies have built their Nest in a Tree.


s: See how the pretty Pigeons fly to their Cote!


s: The Donkey is looking at the two Rabbits.


s: Frank is going out with his Dog and Gun.


s: What a nice Sheep with her two pretty Lambs!


s: And Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring;


s: And Harry's a drummer, and drums for the king.


s: When the wind blows, the cradle will rock;


s: When the bough breaks, the cradle will fall,


s: Hush-a-bye, babby, lie still with thy daddy;


s: Backwards and forwards, round and round;


s: Dance, little baby, and mother will sing,


s: Not all the king's horses, nor all the king's men,


s: Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with B,


s: And toss it in the oven for baby and me.


s: Fifteen, sixteen, the maid's in the kitchen;


s: To see an old woman ride on a white horse,


s: With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,


s: And she shall have music wherever she goes.


s: There was an old woman lived under a hill,


s: And if she ben't gone she lives there still.


s: "Shall I come in, and cut off your thread?"


s: To market, to market, to buy a plum bun.


s: As many red herrings as grew in the wood.


s: Two little dogs were basking in the cinders;


s: Two little cats were playing in the windows;


s: When two little mice popped out of a hole,


s: And up to a fine piece of cheese they stole.


s: The two little dogs cried, "Cheese is nice!"


s: But the two little cats jumped down in a trice,


s: And cracked the bones of the two little mice.


s: Little boy blue, come blow me your horn,


s: The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn;


s: Where is the little boy tending the sheep?


s: I frightened a little mouse under the chair.


s: I had a little husband, no bigger than my thumb,


s: I put him in a pint-pot, and there I bid him drum;


s: I bought him a little handkerchief to wipe his little nose,


s: And a pair of little garters, to tie his little hose.


s: There was a little boy went into a barn,


s: The cat's run away with the pudding-bag string.


s: Or else I'll beat you as black as a coal.


s: And all the trees were bread and cheese,


s: I had a little wife, the prettiest ever seen,


s: She wash'd all the dishes and kept the house clean;


s: She went to the mill to fetch me some flour,


s: She brought it home safe in less than half an hour;


s: She baked me my bread, she brew'd me my ale,


s: She sat by the fire and told a fine tale.


s: The cat's in the cupboard, and she can't see.


s: The rats and the mice they made such a strife,


s: I was forced to go to London to buy me a wife:


s: The roads were so bad, and the lanes were so narrow,


s: I was forced to bring my wife home in a wheelbarrow.


s: The wheelbarrow broke, and my wife had a fall,


s: I tripp'd up his heels, and he fell on his nose.


s: They lay a-bed till the clock struck ten;


s: Then up starts Robin and looks at the sky,


s: "Oh! oh! brother Richard, the sun's very high;


s: And I'll follow after on little Jack Nag."


s: There was an old woman went up in a basket,


s: What she did there I could not but ask it,


s: "Old woman, old woman, old woman," said I,


s: "Whither, oh whither, oh whither, so high?"


s: But when he got tired of this kind of life,


s: He left off being single, and got him a wife.


s: Little Robin Red-breast sat upon a tree,


s: Says little Robin Red-breast, "Catch me if you can."


s: Little Robin Red-breast hopp'd upon a wall,


s: There was an old woman, and what do you think?


s: She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink;


s: Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet,


s: Yet this grumbling old woman could never be quiet.


s: And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead;


s: And he shot it through the head, head, head.


s: And bid her a fire for to make, make, make;


s: And he'd go and fetch her the drake, drake, drake.


s: She could sing nothing but "Fiddle de dee,


s: Leave your supper, and leave your sleep,


s: And come with your playfellows into the street;


s: Come with a whoop, and come with a call,


s: Come with a good will, or come not at all.


s: And we'll have a pudding in half-an-hour.


s: But kill'd the mice in his father's barn.


s: And she who holds longest shall be our queen.


s: Leave them alone, and they'll come home,


s: She found them indeed, but it made her heart bleed,


s: For they'd left their tails behind them.


s: It happen'd one day, as Bo-peep did stray


s: There she espied their tails side by side,


s: And tried what she could, as a shepherdess should,


s: That each tail should be properly placed.


s: And shot his own sow quite through the heart;


s: For our old sow has fall'n down in a swoon,


s: Sing a song of sixpence, a pocket full of rye,


s: Four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.


s: When the pie was opened the birds began to sing,


s: And was not that a dainty dish to set before the king?


s: The king was in the parlour, counting out his money;


s: The queen was in the pantry, eating bread and honey


s: The maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes;


s: There came a little blackbird and peck'd off her nose.


s: There was an old woman, as I've heard tell,


s: She went to the market her eggs for to sell,


s: She went to the market, all on a market day,


s: And she fell asleep on the king's highway.


s: There came a little pedler, his name it was Stout,


s: He cut off her petticoats all round about;


s: He cut off her petticoats up to her knees,


s: Until her poor knees began for to freeze.


s: When the little old woman began to awake,


s: She began to shiver, and she began to shake;


s: Her knees began to freeze, and she began to cry,


s: "Oh lawk! oh mercy on me! this surely can't be I.


s: I have a little dog at home, and he knows me;


s: If it be I, he will wag his little tail,


s: But if it be not I, he'll bark and he'll rail."


s: Up jump'd the little woman, all in the dark,


s: Up jump'd the little dog, and he began to bark;


s: The dog began to bark, and she began to cry,


s: "Oh lawk! oh mercy on me! I see it is not I."


s: And he said, "Little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?


s: For least said is soonest mended-ded, ded."


s: "But what shall we have for to eat, eat, eat?


s: Or the little god of Love turn the spit, spit, spit?"


s: I had a little wife, the prettiest ever seen,


s: She wash'd all the dishes and kept the house clean


s: She went to the mill to fetch me some flour,


s: She brought it home safe in less than an hour;


s: She baked me my bread, she brew'd me my ale,


s: She sat by the fire and told a fine tale.


s: Did you not hear of Betty Pringle's pig?


s: It was not very little nor yet very big;


s: Betty Pringle came to see this pretty pig,


s: That was not very little nor yet very big;


s: Then Johnny Pringle buried this very pretty pig,


s: That was not very little nor yet very big.


s: So here's an end of the song of all three,


s: Johnny Pringle, Betty Pringle, and little Piggy.


s: He often squeak'd, was sometimes violent,


s: And when he squeak'd he ne'er was silent:


s: The king of France, with twenty thousand men,


s: March'd up the hill, and then--march'd back again.


s: Were stolen away on a fine summer's day,


s: And left in a wood, so I've heard people say.


s: They sobb'd and they sigh'd, and they bitterly cried,


s: And the poor little things they lay down and died.


s: "Poor babes in the wood! poor babes in the wood!


s: Ah! don't you remember the babes in the wood?"


s: Here comes a candle to light you to bed,


s: And here comes a chopper to chop off your head.


s: I have a little sister, they call her Peep, Peep,


s: She wades in the water, deep, deep, deep,


s: She climbs up the mountains, high, high, high;


s: My poor little sister--she has but one eye!


s: Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers.


s: _From Mrs. Barbauld's "Lessons for Children."_


s: All the boys are sliding: you must learn to slide. There is a man


s: We will drink tea out of doors. Bring the tea-things. It is very


s: Harry said that was a very naughty lamb.


s: HARRY'S NURSERY SONGS, with 35 Pictures.


s: HARRY'S NURSERY TALES, with 35 Pictures.


s: HARRY'S SIMPLE STORIES, with 28 Pictures.


s: HARRY'S COUNTRY WALKS, with 21 Pictures.


s: _New Edition, price 21s. handsomely bound,_


s: Printed in Colours in exact Imitation of the Originals.


s: Printed by G. BARCLAY, Castle St. Leicester Sq.


s: Of the other five sections, three are nautical short stories by


s: "And he shall enjoy it, though we should have to fight for him,"


s: "They have exhausted their powder," observed my father.  "That is


s: pleasures of summer and to a buffalo hunt which we had promised


s: The sheep and cows were now collecting of their own accord in the


s: "No doubt about it, boys," was the unsatisfactory reply.


s: "Look, Harry! look there!  Do you know that tree?"


s: calmness.  At last I could not help crying out--


s: "Oh, Malcolm, how is it that you cannot see our danger?"


s: "I do, Harry, clearly," he answered gravely; "but we are in the


s: performance of our duty, and God will take care of us."


s: His words and tone made an impression on me which I have never


s: We were now in as secure a place as any we could find in the


s: finished.  The horses were a little restive, evidently not being


s: "Sigenok live here with you," observed our Indian friend.


s: considered as nutritious as two of ordinary meat, and it has the


s: advantage of keeping for years through all temperatures.


s: observed by the natives in our march.  We were passing through a


s: eagerness, therefore, increased to overtake them, but the Indians


s: While Malcolm and I were talking, the rest of the Ojibways had


s: persevering industry he had converted it into a very comfortable


s: wide-spreading shores and isles of the Pacific.  With a line of


s: powerful family were the De Cliffords, descended from Richard of


s: Normandy, the uncle of William the Conqueror, and the first Lord


s: mummers, jugglers, and tumblers were allowed to exhibit their


s: performances in the hall, for he took great delight in such


s: "But which do you think is right, mother?" said Henry.


s: "Why do they say my father is for Lancaster and the Red Rose?"


s: "I would not wish to resemble her then," said the lady.


s: "Who is he?" demanded the fierce nobleman in a thundering tone.


s: "He is a son of York, and he shall die!" exclaimed Lord Clifford,


s: mansions of the great, where, in return for a night's lodging and


s: "What is it, Rolf," she asked in alarm.  "Why do you come here in


s: "Now heaven help me!" said the lady, "how am I to ward off this


s: "And Richard, mother--is he to go away too?"


s: The next day after this conversation, Lady Clifford left Brougham


s: This was indeed a trying moment.  The young lord was now to be


s: "My lady--my dear lady," said old Hubert; "you must not stay here


s: "I know it is wrong, father, but I cannot help it sometimes."


s: different parts of the country, where it was supposed he might be


s: "Time, with the aid of Providence, works wonders, my lord."


s: His foster-brothers and sisters, one by one, married amongst the


s: "Good day, shepherd Henry; I come to ask a service of you."


s: "As you will, mother, but it is hardly worth while for so light a


s: "Mother, what has happened?  Tell me at once, I beseech you."


s: "Yes, you told me so.  Has it begun again?"


s: "And I, mother, what have I to do with this?"


s: At length the bright day dawned that was to see Henry de Clifford


s: "Let us pass on, my Henry," she whispered softly, "we must hold


s: themselves addressed by the noble host as father and mother.


s: "Glad were the vales, and every cottage hearth;


s: The shepherd lord was honoured more and more:


s: `The good Lord Clifford' was the name he bore."


s: "No officer, I have heard, ever passed a better examination for


s: "`They'll grind each other down to the water's edge,' observed my


s: "`Done!' exclaimed the captain.  `Off we go at once.'


s: "`Will you go, Ned?' said my father to me.


s: "There was no time for consideration.  I said, `Yes, father.'


s: "My kind father wrung my hand, and we parted never to meet again.


s: "Young as was our captain, he found himself senior officer on the


s: `Billyruffian' (`Bellerophon'), with already two hundred dead and


s: struggling for their lives.  Among them was the French commodore.


s: determined to do my duty.  I there learned that Captain Hardy had


s: "He passed on, for he had a kind word to say to many hundred poor


s: "We victualled and watered at Tetuan, then once more stood to the


s: ever-to-be-remembered battle of Trafalgar was won.


s: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have


s: I heard not a word of all this at the time, for Mr Englefield was


s: breakfast under the shade of our carob tree.  His brow relaxed by


s: Little Nilo quickly recovered his strength, all the more quickly,


s: From that time, tokens of grateful, loving remembrance from our


s: "Laurie," said I at last, "are you going by that vessel to-morrow


s: bereavement added much to the natural sternness of Mr Popham's


s: "Don't call me `Mr Popham,' Englefield," responded the musical,


s: "Go, and whither?" inquired your uncle who out or delicacy had


s: "I hardly know," answered Mr Popham; "that's the point I want to


s: "Have you much hope of catching him?"  I asked.


s: "I think, I hope he is safe," he said, looking very white.


s: "How safe?"  I asked; "tell me _all_, Mr Popham, if you please."


s: "Am I to understand that you have left Mr Englefield wounded?"  I


s: "And how did he seem?"  I asked anxiously, for I well remembered


s: The road certainly was as bad as possible; but my mule advanced


s: solitary figure rowing vigorously.  "It is Basil!" cried Spira,


s: "Take me to him first, kind Basil," said I anxiously; "I too have


s: government map.  I soon relieved his mind of the fear that I was


s: "Then, my dear, where is he?" he rejoined quickly.


s: I was bathing the shoulder with warm water when a stranger in the


s: remembrance of a shade of injustice towards him came across me


s: "It should indeed, but how?" thought I, with a despairing sigh.


s: "Who is that brave youngster?" asked the captain of the renowned


s: "The son of Mr Ripley the boatswain, sir," was the answer.


s: "Pearce, sir--Pearce Ripley is his name," answered the boatswain.


s: "Very well; send my clerk to me, and tell your boy that he is a


s: midshipman.  The first lieutenant will introduce him to his new


s: Pearce Ripley was a fine-looking lad of about fourteen, with an


s: In the afternoon the young gentlemen, as all the members of the


s: thirty-two guns, commanded by the gallant Captain Faulkner, stood


s: thirty-six-gun frigate "Pique" lying at anchor in the harbour of


s: At length the "Vestal" dropped her anchor in the fine harbour of


s: Halifax, and with a regret which surprised him, Pearce saw the


s: dispatches, hurried up to Colonel Verner's house.


s: "Are you really a captain already?" she asked.


s: "Yes, as midshipmen we were together, I believe," answered Harry,


s: relations, if he had any, are probably all of the lowest order."


s: Pearce Ripley lay in his cabin unable to move.  The hearts of the


s: pronounce a favourable opinion.  He was young, and had a good


s: Two years had passed by.  Colonel Verner, now a general, with his


s: The stranger accepted the invitation, and after a little more


s: "A distinguished man," observed General Verner, when the admiral


s: A short time afterwards, Judson appeared, and put a card into his


s: "What about the action, Judson?" asked the admiral.


s: Where, the long drooping boughs between,


s: A slumberous sound,--a sound that brings


s: And, loving still these quaint old themes,


s: That, crossed by shades and sunny gleams,


s: "Learn, that henceforth thy song shall be,


s: Our hopes, like withered leaves, fall fast;


s: "Look, then, into thine heart, and write!


s: I heard the trailing garments of the Night


s: I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light


s: I felt her presence, by its spell of might,


s: The calm, majestic presence of the Night,


s: I heard the sounds of sorrow and delight,


s: That fill the haunted chambers of the Night,


s: From the cool cisterns of the midnight air


s: The fountain of perpetual peace flows there--


s: Thou layest thy finger on the lips of Care,


s: Peace!  Peace!  Orestes-like I breathe this prayer!


s: The welcome, the thrice-prayed for, the most fair,


s: "Shall I have nought that is fair?" saith he;


s: Though the breath of these flowers is sweet to me,


s: He gazed at the flowers with tearful eyes,


s: "My Lord has need of these flowers gay,"


s: "They shall all bloom in fields of light,


s: Like the stars, so still and saint-like,


s: Spake full well, in language quaint and olden,


s: When he called the flowers, so blue and golden,


s: Stars, that in earth's firmament do shine;--


s: Stars they are, wherein we read our history,


s: Yet not wrapped about with awful mystery,


s: Like the burning stars, which they beheld.


s: Wondrous truths, and manifold as wondrous,


s: But not less in the bright flowerets under us


s: Written all over this great world of ours;


s: In these stars of earth,--these golden flowers.


s: Sees, alike in stars and flowers, a part


s: Which is throbbing in his brain and heart.


s: Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining,


s: Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining,


s: Brilliant hopes, all woven in gorgeous tissues,


s: Large desires, with most uncertain issues,


s: These in flowers and men are more than seeming,


s: Workings are they of the self-same powers,


s: Some like stars, to tell us Spring is born;


s: Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowing,


s: But in arms of brave old Autumn's wearing,


s: Of sequestered pools in woodland valleys,


s: Where the slaves of Nature stoop to drink;


s: On the tombs of heroes, carved in stone;


s: In ancestral homes, whose crumbling towers,


s: Tell us of the ancient Games of Flowers;


s: In all places, then, and in all seasons,


s: Flowers expand their light and soul-like wings,


s: Teaching us, by most persuasive reasons,


s: And with child-like, credulous affection


s: I have read, in some old marvellous tale,


s: I have read in the marvellous heart of man,


s: And when the solemn and deep church bell


s: Crowned with wild flowers, and with heather,


s: His joy! his last!  Oh, the old man grey


s: Of the soft air, like a daughter's breath--


s: Seed-time and harvest, has returned again,


s: 'Tis sweet to visit the still wood, where springs


s: When forest glades are teeming with bright forms,


s: Nor dark and many-folded clouds foretell


s: The sapling draws its sustenance, and thrives;


s: Though stricken to the heart with winter's cold,


s: Comes from the pleasant woods and coloured wings


s: Glance quick in the bright sun, that moves along


s: The silver woods with light, the green slope throws


s: Its shadows in the hollows of the hills,


s: In the blue lake the sky, o'er-reaching far


s: Is hollowed out, and the moon dips her horn,


s: Stand the grey rooks, and trembling shadows throw,


s: And the fair trees look over, side by side,


s: Nor shall they fail, till, to its autumn brought,


s: With what a glory comes and goes the year!


s: The buds of spring, those beautiful harbingers


s: Of sunny skies and cloudless times, enjoy


s: Life's newness, and earth's garnitude spread out


s: Comes down upon the autumn sun, and with


s: His bright inheritance of golden fruits,


s: A pomp and pageant fill the splendid scene.


s: There is a beautiful spirit breathing now


s: Its mellow richness on the clustered trees,


s: And, from a beaker full of richest dyes,


s: And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds.


s: Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird,


s: Lifts up her purple wing; and in the vales


s: The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer,


s: Kisses the blushing leap, and stirs up life


s: Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned,


s: And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved,


s: Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down


s: By the wayside a-weary.  Through the trees


s: The golden robin moves.  The purple finch,


s: That on wild cherry and red cedar feeds,


s: A winter bird, comes with its plaintive whistle,


s: And pecks by the witch-hazel, whilst aloud


s: From cottage roofs the warbling blue-bird sings;


s: Sounds from the threshing-floor the busy flail.


s: For him who, with a fervent heart, goes forth


s: Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks


s: On duties well performed, and days well spent!


s: For him the wind, ay, and the yellow leaves,


s: Shall have a voice, and give him eloquent teachings.


s: He shall so hear the solemn hymn, that Death


s: To his long resting-place without a tear.


s: And through the hawthorn blows the gale,


s: Where, from their frozen urns, mute springs


s: And winds were soft, and woods were green,


s: And the nuns' sweet hymn was heard the while,


s: And it was his martial cloak and shroud!


s: I stood upon the hills, when heaven's wide arch


s: Was glorious with the sun's returning march,


s: And woods were brightened, and soft gales


s: The clouds were far beneath me;--bathed in light


s: They gathered mid-way round the wooded height,


s: As many a pinnacle, with shifting glance,


s: Through the grey mist thrust up its shattered lance,


s: Glowed the rich valley, and the river's flow


s: Where upward, in the mellow blush of day,


s: The noisy bittern wheeled his spiral way.


s: And richly, by the blue lake's silver beach,


s: The woods were bending with a silent reach,


s: And the wild horn, whose voice the woodland fills,


s: Where, answering to the sudden shot, thin smoke,


s: Through thick-leaved branches, from the dingle broke.


s: If thou wouldst read a lesson, that will keep


s: Thy heart from fainting and thy soul from sleep,


s: That dwells where'er the gentle south wind blows;


s: Where, underneath the whitethorn, in the glade,


s: The wild flowers bloom, or, kissing the soft air,


s: The leaves above their sunny palms outspread.


s: With what a tender and impassioned voice


s: It fills the nice and delicate ear of thought,


s: When the fast-ushering star of morning comes


s: O'er-riding the grey hills with golden scarf;


s: Or when the cowled and dusky-sandalled Eve,


s: In mourning weeds, from out the western gate,


s: Departs with silent pace!  That spirit moves


s: In the green valley, where the silver brook,


s: From its full laver, pours the white cascade;


s: And, babbling low amid the tangled woods,


s: Slips down through moss-grown stones with endless laughter.


s: Its feet go forth, when it doth wrap itself


s: In all the dark embroidery of the storm,


s: And shouts the stern, strong wind.  And here, amid


s: Its presence shall uplift thy thoughts from earth,


s: As to the sunshine and the pure, bright air


s: Their tops the green trees lift.  Hence gifted bards


s: Have ever loved the calm and quiet shades.


s: For them there was an eloquent voice in all


s: The sylvan pomp of woods, the golden sun,


s: The flowers, the leaves, the river on its way,


s: Blue skies, and silver clouds, and gentle winds--


s: The swelling upland, where the sidelong sun


s: Aslant the wooded slope, at evening, goes--


s: Groves, through whose broken roof the sky looks in,


s: Mountain, and shattered cliff, and sunny vale,


s: The distant lake, fountains,--and mighty trees,


s: And this is the sweet spirit, that doth fill


s: The world; and, in these wayward days of youth,


s: As a bright image of the light and beauty


s: That dwell in nature,--of the heavenly forms


s: We worship in our dreams, and the soft hues


s: That stain the wild bird's wing, and flush the clouds


s: The heaven of April, with its changing light,


s: And when it wears the blue of May, is hung,


s: And on her lip the rich, red rose.  Her hair


s: Is like the summer tresses of the trees,


s: When twilight makes them brown, and on her cheek


s: With ever-shifting beauty.  Then her breath,


s: As, from the morning's dewy flowers, it comes


s: Full of their fragrance, that it is a joy


s: To have it round us,--and her silver voice


s: Heard in the still night, with its passionate cadence.


s: Rose the blue hills.  One cloud of white,


s: Where the soft breath of evening stirred


s: Stripped of his proud and martial dress,


s: Through Gothic helm and brain it passed;


s: Nils Juel gave heed to the tempest's roar,


s: He hoisted his blood-red flag once more,


s: And shouted loud, through the tempest's roar,


s: From the waves was heard a wail, that rent


s: Receive thy friend, who, scorning flight,


s: Nils Juel was a celebrated Danish Admiral, and Peder Wessel, a


s: And now, behold! as at the approach of morning


s: Through the gross vapours, Mars grows fiery red


s: A light along the sea, so swiftly coming,


s: Its motion by no flight of wing is equalled.


s: And when therefrom I had withdrawn a little


s: Mine eyes, that I might question my conductor,


s: Again I saw it brighter grown and larger.


s: Thereafter, on all sides of it, appeared


s: I knew not what of white, and underneath,


s: Little by little, there came forth another.


s: While the first brightness into wings unfolded;


s: But, when he clearly recognised the pilot,


s: He cried aloud; "Quick, quick, and bow the knee!


s: Behold the Angel of God! fold up thy hands!


s: Henceforward shalt thou see such officers!


s: "See, how he scorns all human arguments,


s: Than his own wings, between so distant shores!


s: "See, how he holds them, pointed straight to heaven,


s: Fanning the air with the eternal pinions,


s: That do not moult themselves like mortal hair!"


s: And then, as nearer and more near us came


s: The Bird of Heaven, more glorious he appeared,


s: So that the eye could not sustain his presence.


s: But down I cast it; and he came to shore


s: With a small vessel, gliding swift and light,


s: So that the water swallowed nought thereof.


s: Upon the stern stood the Celestial Pilot!


s: And more than a hundred spirits sat within.


s: Thus sang they all together in one voice,


s: With whatso in that Psalm is after written.


s: Then made he sign of holy rood upon them,


s: Whereat all cast themselves upon the shore,


s: The heavenly forest, dense and living green,


s: Which to the eyes tempered the new-born day,


s: Crossing the level country slowly, slowly,


s: Over the soil, that everywhere breathed fragrance.


s: A gently-breathing air, that no mutation


s: Had in itself, smote me upon the forehead,


s: No heavier blow, than of a pleasant breeze,


s: Did all of them bow downward towards that side


s: Where its first shadow casts the Holy Mountain;


s: Yet not from their upright direction bent


s: So that the little birds upon their tops


s: Should cease the practice of their tuneful art;


s: But, with full-throated joy, the hours of prime


s: Singing received they in the midst of foliage


s: That made monotonous burden to their rhymes,


s: Even as from branch to branch it gathering swells,


s: Through the pine forests on the shore of Chiassi,


s: Could see no more the place where I had entered.


s: And lo! my farther course cut off a river,


s: Which, towards the left hand, with its little waves,


s: Bent down the grass, that on its margin sprang.


s: All waters that on earth most limpid are,


s: Would seem to have within themselves some mixture,


s: Compared with that, which nothing doth conceal,


s: Although it moves on with a brown, brown current,


s: Ray of the sun lets in, nor of the moon.


s: And thou--thou makest the sad heart gay.


s: He sees thee, and calls to his gloomy train,


s: The sleet, and the snow, and the wind, and the rain;


s: And they shrink away, and they flee in fear,


s: Winter giveth the fields and the trees, so old,


s: And the rain, it raineth so fast and cold,


s: And, snugly housed from the wind and weather,


s: Mope like birds that are changing feather.


s: But the storm retires, and the sky grows clear,


s: But, Heaven be praised, thy step is nigh;


s: And the earth looks bright, and Winter surly,


s: Who has toiled for nought both late and early,


s: And some old, wise philosopher has said:


s: Rise with a lark, and with a lark to bed.


s: But are they real?--well, a mind judicial


s: Perhaps would call them false and artificial.


s: The Poppycock's a fowl of English breed,


s: And therefore many think him fine indeed.


s: Credulous people's ears he would regale,


s: And so he crows aloud and spreads his tale.


s: But he is stuffed with vain and worthless words;


s: Fine feathers do not always make fine birds.


s: The Haycock cannot crow; he has no brains,


s: He is not gamy,--fighting's not his forte,


s: A Haycock fight is just no sort of sport.


s: Down in the meadow all day long he'll bide,


s: Declares that we from monkeys are descended.


s: This being thus, we therefore clearly see


s: Ah, yes,--from him descend by evolution,


s: To this strange dwelling-place he cleaves


s: And on the soldier's manly breast displayed,


s: He wins the heart of every blushing maid.


s: But, as a frog, I think he's incomplete,


s: He has no good hind legs that we may eat.


s: Oft through the stillness of the summer night


s: We see the Brick Bat take his rapid flight.


s: And, with unerring aim, descending straight,


s: The little Brick Bat could not fly alone,--


s: Oh, no; there is a power behind the thrown.


s: The Cat O' Nine Tails is not very nice,--


s: No good at all at catching rats and mice;


s: She eats no fish, though living on the sea,


s: And no one's friend or pet she seems to be.


s: Yet oft she makes it lively for poor Jack,--


s: Curls round his legs, and jumps upon his back.


s: Here's the Round Robin, round as any ball;


s: You scarce can see his head or tail at all.


s: He's not a carrier-pigeon, though he brings


s: They mean who say, "A little bird told me."


s: He has but three legs and he has no head.


s: Had this but been the kind Miss Muffet saw


s: 'Twould not have filled the maiden with such awe.


s: Of stupid books which seem to us a bore,


s: The early reed-bird catches the bookworm?


s: The Black Sheep is a beast all men should shun--


s: Though without horns, oft with a horn he's seen;


s: Though not a lamb, he gambles on the green.


s: Perhaps he's not a sheep, as some suggest,


s: But a grim wolf who's in sheep's clothing dressed.


s: Time Flies are well-known insects; sages claim


s: That Tempus Fugit is their rightful name.


s: When we're on idleness or pleasure bent,


s: They sting our conscience and our fun prevent.


s: We hear them winter mornings ere we rise,


s: And oft in fly-time we observe Time Flies.


s: See the Welsh Rabbit--he is bred on cheese;


s: (Or cheese on bread, whichever way you please.)


s: Although he's tough, he looks so mild, who'd think


s: That a strong man from this small beast would shrink?


s: But close behind him follows the nightmare,


s: Beware of them, they are a frightful pair.


s: Flying perchance around the village green;


s: There may be one exception though,--and that


s: Is when it's aimed at some stray neighboring Cat.


s: The Common Swallow is so swift of flight,


s: We scarcely see him ere he's out of sight.


s: The Swallow's strong when he is in his prime,


s: The Tomahawk's a fearsome bird, we deem;


s: Though feathered tribes hold him in great esteem;


s: A bird of prey, he whizzes through the air,


s: And clutches his pale victim by the hair.


s: His wild desires for freedom? See him droop


s: Behind his bars. He wants to fly the coop.


s: But to beguile his tedious, lonely hours


s: Kind ladies bring him nosegays of bright flowers.


s: This noble beast's impressive form is seen


s: 'Mong the possessions of a king or queen.


s: And, since his temper can't find vent in speech,


s: He stamps and punches everything in reach.


s: Here are two Fire Dogs--they are queer, indeed;


s: They seem to come of a three-legged breed.


s: They have no tails, their bark is on their back;


s: The day's work over, 'tis a pleasant sight


s: To find them waiting by the fire at night.


s: This is the merry Golf Lynx, as you see;


s: His snaky length lies prone along the ground.


s: It is the fashion o'er this beast to rave,


s: But have a care, lest you become his slave.


s: The Traveling Crane's a bird, of course,


s: The Flying Buttress, every day and night,


s: Continues in his long, unwearied flight.


s: He's not a song-bird, but he's said to be


s: The ostrich eats him if he gets a chance.


s: Cat-like, forever chasing round and round.


s: She has no claws, but crouching sly and low


s: I'll warrant you there is the deuce to pay!


s: This is the Battering Ram, a fearful beast,


s: I think he weighs a thousand tons at least.


s: He goes his way calmly, without a flutter.


s: Big as an elephant, bigger than a horse,


s: He seems the best example of brute force.


s: Each of his springs should be well oiled,


s: The Shuttlecock's a handsome fowl to see,


s: His feathers grow straight upward like a tree.


s: He cannot crow, but oftentimes his flight


s: Will reach up to a most astounding height.


s: He is a gamecock, and, in fighting trim,


s: There are not many birds that equal him.


s: He's found in every land from West to East.


s: The children bring him in, to our amaze,


s: And though we try to turn him out, he stays.


s: He's never seen with soldiers, nor with fops,


s: But with the schoolboys how he jumps and hops.


s: The Golden Buck's a game that's often poached.


s: 'Tis sometimes mild, again 'tis strong and hearty,


s: It may be found at many a gay stag-party.


s: No branching antlers this strange beast adorn,


s: But with the Golden Buck we take a horn.


s: This is the Bumblepuppy. He's quite tame,


s: Although he's said to be a sort of game.


s: You scorn him, yet you must--ah, there's the rub--


s: He has his points, yet he's a pest, indeed;


s: Here's the Gold Eagle. Very rare. They say


s: He's very powerful--held in great esteem;


s: And money talks, so let the eagle scream.


s: Of all the fearsome beasts beneath the sun


s: At night he comes and hovers o'er our bed,


s: Filling us with a nameless fear and dread.


s: Sometimes he shrinks and dwindles quite away.


s: The Irish Bull is best of all the heard.


s: He has no points, he has no head or tail,


s: And all his hearers will with laughter choke,


s: Except his brother John, who sees no joke.


s: 'Tis very strange, and yet, upon my word,


s: He lives on hayseed,--everywhere he's found,


s: And at the approach of winter, (more's the pity),


s: A flock of jays will migrate to the city.


s: Misled by certain signs of form and shape,


s: Some think we are descended from the ape.


s: But recent science now the truth declares


s: The human race descended from Forebears.


s: And since we're so inclined to war, I'll wager


s: The High Horse often takes a foremost place


s: They say one needs both brawn and brain to ride him,


s: And even then 'tis very hard to guide him.


s: His jockeys gaily prance and boldly scoff,


s: But soon or late they're sure to tumble off.


s: That Eve was Adam’s second wife was a common Rabbinic


s: speculation. Certain commentators on Genesis adopted this view,


s: to account for the double account of the creation of woman, in


s: the sacred text, first in Genesis i. 27, and second in Genesis


s: xi. 18. And they say that Adam’s first wife was named Lilith,


s: but she was expelled from Eden, and after her expulsion Eve was


s: created. Abraham Ecchelensis gives the following account of


s: Lilith and her doings: “There are some who do not regard


s: spectres as simple devils, but suppose them to be of a mixed


s: nature—part demoniacal, part human, and to have had their


s: origin from Lilith, Adam’s first wife, by Eblis, prince of the


s: devils. This fable has been transmitted to the Arabs, from


s: Arabs. They gave to Adam a wife formed of clay, along with Adam,


s: and called her Lilith, resting on the Scripture: ‘Male and


s: female created He them.’”—_Legends of the Patriarchs and


s: Lilith or Lilis.—In the popular belief of the Hebrews, a female


s: spectre in the shape of a finely dressed woman, who lies in wait


s: for, and kills children. The old Rabbins turned Lilith into a


s: wife of Adam, on whom he begat demons and who still has power to


s: lie with men and kill children who are not protected by amulets


s: protection against her. Burton in his _Anatomy of Melancholy_


s: tells us: “The Talmudists say that Adam had a wife called Lilis,


s: before he married Eve, and of her he begat nothing but devils.”


s: A commentator on Skinner, quoted in the _Encyclopædia


s: Metropolitana_, says that the English word _Lullaby_ is derived


s: from Lilla, abi (begone, Lilith)! In the demonology of the


s: Middle Ages, Lilis was a famous witch, and is introduced as such


s: in the Walpurgis night scene in Goethe’s “Faust.”—_Webster’s


s: Our word _Lullaby_ is derived from two Arabic words which mean


s: Lilith, the supposed wife of Adam, after she married Eblis, is


s: said to have ruled over the city of Damascus.—_Legends of the


s: Broideries and ancient stuffs that some queen


s: Wore; nor gems that warriors’ hilts encrusted;