Kind words he ever had for all; His eyes were dark and rather small, He lived at peace with all mankind, Unharmed, the sin which earth pollutes He passed securely o'er, But good old Grimes is now at rest, He modest merit sought to find, He had no malice in his mind, His neighbors he did not abuse- He wore large buckles on his shoes, His knowledge, hid from public gaze, Nor made a noise, town-meeting days, His worldly goods he never threw In trust to fortune's chances, But lived (as all his brothers do) Thus undisturbed by anxious cares, A fine old gentleman. Albert Gorton Greene A TRAGIC STORY 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; 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. William Makepeace Thackeray LITTLE BILLEE There were three sailors of Bristol city There was gorging Jack and guzzling Jimmy, Says gorging Jack to guzzling Jimmy, Says gorging Jack to guzzling Jimmy, "Oh! Billy, we're going to kill and eat you, "First let me say my catechism, Which my poor mammy taught to me." "Make haste, make haste," says guzzling Jimmy, While Jack pulled out his snickersnee. So Billy went up to the main-top gallant mast, And down he fell on his bended knee. He scarce had come to the twelfth commandment When up he jumps. "There's land I see: "Jerusalem and Madagascar, And North and South Amerikee: So when they got aboard of the Admiral's, The Captain of a Seventy-three. William Makepeace Thackeray ROBINSON CRUSOE The night was thick and hazy, Carried down the crew and captain in the sea; For they never, never found 'em, Oh! 'twas very sad and lonely When I found myself the only Population on this cultivated shore; But I've made a little tavern In a rocky little cavern, And I sit and watch for people at the door. I spent no time in looking For a girl to do my cooking, As I'm quite a clever hand at making stews; Just to keep the tavern tidy, I have a little garden That I'm cultivating lard in, As the things I eat are rather tough and dry; Prickly pears, and parrot gizzards, And I'm really very fond of beetle-pie. The clothes I had were furry, And it made me fret and worry When I found the moths were eating off the hair; And I had to scrape and sand 'em, And I boiled 'em and I tanned 'em, Till I got the fine morocco suit I wear. I sometimes seek diversion In a family excursion With the few domestic animals you see; As refreshments for the parrot, Then we gather as we travel Funny bugs of handy sizes, Just to give the day a scientific tone. If the roads are wet and muddy, We remain at home and study,For the Goat is very clever at a sum,And the Dog, instead of fighting, Studies ornamental writing, While the Cat is taking lessons on the drum. We retire at eleven, And we rise again at seven; |