Thy bubblings ne'er remember Apollo's summer look; But with a sweet forgetting, They stay their crystal fretting, Never, never petting About the frozen time. Ah! would 'twere so with many But were there ever any Was never said in rhyme. JOHN KEATS. The End of the Play The play is done; the curtain drops, A moment yet the actor stops, And looks around, to say farewell. It is an irksome word and task; And, when he's laughed and said his say, He shows, as he removes the mask, A face that's anything but gay. Life Lessons Life Lessons One word, ere yet the evening ends, That Fate ere long shall bid you play; Come wealth or want, come good or ill, And bear it with an honest heart. Be each, pray God, a gentleman. A gentleman, or old or young! (Bear kindly with my humble lays;) And peace on earth to gentle men. My song, save this, is little worth; And wish you health, and love, and mirth, Be this, good friends, our carol still— To men of gentle will. WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. From "Dr. Birch and his Young Friends." Life Lessons A Farewell My fairest child, I have no song to give you; Be good, sweet maid, and let who will be clever; long: And so make life, death, and that vast forever One grand, sweet song. CHARLES KINGSLEY, Life Lessons A Boy's Prayer God who created me Nimble and light of limb, To run, to ride, to swim: But now from the heart of joy, I would remember Him: Take the thanks of a boy. HENRY CHARLES BEECHING Chartless I never saw a moor, I never saw the sea; Yet know I how the heather looks, And what a wave must be. I never spoke with God, Yet certain am I of the spot EMILY DICKINSON. Peace My soul, there is a country, Afar beyond the stars, Where stands a wingèd sentry, All skilful in the wars. There, above noise and danger, Sweet Peace sits crowned with smiles, And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files. He is thy gracious friend, To die here for thy sake. If thou canst get but thither, The rose that cannot wither, HENRY VAUGHAN. Life Lessons |