LITTLE AND GREAT. A little spring had lost its way A ladle at the brink: He thought not of the deed he did, Had cooled ten thousand parching tongues, A dreamer dropped a random thought; But strong in being true. The thought was small-its issue great; A watch-fire on the hill, It sheds its radiance far adown, And cheers the valley still. A nameless man, amid a crowd 41 HOW STANDS THE GLASS AROUND ? A whisper on the tumult thrown, It raised a brother from the dust, CHARLES MACKAY. HOW STANDS THE GLASS AROUND? How stands the glass around? Let mirth and wine abound. The trumpets sound; The colors they are flying, boys. To fight, kill, or wound, May we still be found Content with our hard fare, my boys, On the cold ground. Why, soldiers, why Should we be melancholy, boys? Why, soldiers, why? Whose business 'tis to die! What sighing? fie! SONG. Don't fear! drink on, be jolly, boys! 'Tis he, you, or I! Cold, hot, wet or dry, We're always bound to follow, boys, And scorn to fly. "Tis but in vain. (I mean not to upbraid you, boys,) "Tis but in vain For soldiers to complain; Should next campaign Send us to Him who made us, boys, We're free from pain; But if we remain, A bottle and a kind landlady Cure all again. SONG. DAY, in melting purple dying! Ye but waken my distress; I am sick of loneliness. ANONYMOUS. SONG. Thou to whom I love to hearken, Save thy toiling, spare thy treasure: Tell to thee the high-wrought feeling, Paint to thee the deep sensation, Rapture in participation; Yet but torture, if comprest In a lone, unfriended breast. Absent still! Ah, come and bless me! Now I nothing could deny thee. Come and I will gaze on thee! MARIA BROOKS. |