Here's the paper signed that frees you, 11. Then the trembling voice grew fainter, When the flag went down the river LXXIX. THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM. ROBERT SOUTHEY. 1. It was a summer evening; Old Kaspar's work was done, And by him sported on the green 2. She saw her brother Peterkin He came to ask what he had found, 3. Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by ; And then the old man shook his head, And with a natural sigh, "Tis some poor fellow's skull," said he, Who fell in the great victory. 4. "I find them in the garden, The plowshare turns them out; 5. "Now tell us what 'twas all about," 6. "It was the English," Kaspar cried, 7. "My father lived at Blenheim then, Nor had he where to rest his head. 8. "With fire and sword the country round Was wasted far and wide, And many a nursing mother then But things like that, you know, must be 9. "They say it was a shocking sight After the field was won; For many thousand bodies here Lay rotting in the sun; But things like that, you know, must be 10. "Great praise the Duke of Marlb'ro' won, And our good Prince Eugene." "Why, 'twas a very wicked thing!" Said little Wilhelmine. "Nay-nay-my little girl," quoth he, 11. "And every body praised the Duke, "But what good came of it at last?" "Why, that I can not tell," said he ; LXXX.-FIELD LILIES. ANONYMOUS. 1. Lily bells! lily bells! swinging and ringing 2. Lily bells! lily bells! daintily swaying, Poising your petals like butterflies' wings, As the breeze murmurs round you, pray, what is he saying? Is he whispering love-words and soft, pretty things? 3. Lily bells! lily bells! 'mid the long grasses Gleaming like sunbeams in still shady bower, Have you stolen your gold from the sun as he passes? Are ye guarding your treasure in bud and in flower? Are 4. Lily bells! lily bells! bowing and bending, ye nodding a welcome to me as I go? Do ye know that my heart bears a love never-ending For bright golden lily-bells all in a row? 5. Lily bells lily bells! down in the meadows, As I see your fair forms 'mid the mosses and brake, My heart wanders back to the past, with its shadows, To Christ, and the wise, loving words that he spake. 6. "Consider the lilies "-yes, this was his teaching, 7. Lily bells! lily bells! waving and swinging, 8. Lily bells! lily bells! bending and swaying, Ring out your sweet peals on the still summer air; I would ye might lure all to trusting and praying, And teach them sweet lessons of God's loving care. LXXXI.-A PARABLE. JAMES R. LOWELL. 1. Worn and footsore was the Prophet, 2. "God of all the olden prophets, Wilt thou speak with men no more? 3. "Hear me, guider of my fathers, 4. Bowing then his head, he listened 5. But the tuft of moss before him And, from out the rock's hard bosom, 6. "God! I thank thee," said the Prophet; "Hard of heart, and blind was I, Looking to the holy mountain. For the gift of prophecy. 7. "Still thou speakest with thy children 66 8. Had I trusted in my nature, And had faith in lowly things, Thou thyself wouldst then have sought me, 9. But I looked for signs and wonders, 11. "In her hand she held a flower, Like to this as like may be, Which, beside my very threshold, She had plucked and brought to me." |