A TRAGIC STORY. So serious should my youth appear among So would I seem, amid the young and gay, That in my age as cheerful I might be As the green winter of the holly tree. SOUTHEY, 1774-1843. 87 A TRAGIC STORY. FROM THE GERMAN OF CHAMISSO. THERE lived a sage in days of yore, He mused upon this curious case, Not dangling there behind him. Says he, "The mystery I've found! I'll turn me round." He turned him round, But still it hung behind him. Then round and round, and out and in, And right and left, and round about, And though his efforts never slack, The pigtail hangs behind him. W. M. THACKERAY, 1811-1863. This piece is not so ridiculous as it seems; it laughs at the absurdity of spending time in attempting to do what is impossible. WINTER. THE mill-wheel's frozen in the stream, And hark! how the cold winds blow. There goes the squire to shoot at snipe, You'd swear his breath was the smoke of a pipe, Hodge is breaking the ice for the kine, Old and young cough as they go, The round red sun forgets to shine, And hark! how the cold winds blow. JAMES SMITH, 1775-1839. CHEER UP. NEVER go gloomily, man with a mind, Gives with a smile what you take with a tear; Look to the light; Morning was ever the daughter of night; Many a foe is a friend in disguise, Many a trouble a blessing most true, Helping the heart to be happy and wise, Strive like a man! This is the bravest and cleverest plan; Trusting in God while you do what you can. MARTIN F. TUPPER. MY SISTER'S VOICE. Oн, my sister's voice is gone away! We have lost its tones, that were so gay, So full of harmless mirth. We miss the glancing of her eye, The waving of her hair, The footsteps lightly glinting by, And the wild, bright smile that lit her face, For oh! it was so soft and sweet, And lovely, when in measure soft There are a thousand pleasant sounds The torrent that before it bounds, The murmuring of the wood-dove's sigh, The swallow in the eaves, And the wind that sweeps a melody In passing from the leaves, And the pattering of the early rain, But they want my sister's voice again, MARY ANNE Browne, SUMMER RAIN. THE mountain streams are silent, And fall, O gentle rain! Awake the music of the bowers, It comes! The gushing wealth descends. The fainting corn-stalk lifts its head, CHARLES MACKAY. THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER. FATHER of all, in every age, In every clime adored, By saint, by savage, or by sage, Thou great first cause, least understood, Who all my sense confined To know but this, that Thou art good, THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER. What conscience dictates to be done, This teach me more than hell to shun, What blessings thy free bounty gives, For God is paid when man receives, If I am right, thy grace impart, Save me alike from foolish pride, At aught Thy wisdom has denied, Teach me to feel another's woe, Mean though I am, not wholly so, Through this day's life or death. This day be bread and peace my lot, Thou know'st if best bestowed or not, To Thee whose temple is all space, ALEXANDER POPE, 1688-1744. 91 |