Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

As down through the measureless space it And then thou shalt have thy choice to be

strayed;

Or as, half by dalliance, half afraid,

It seemed in mid air suspended.

Restored in the lily that decks the lea,
In the jessamine bloom, the anemone,
Or aught of thy spotless whiteness;
To melt and be cast in a glittering bead,

"O no," said the Earth, "thou shalt not With pearls that the night scatters over the

lie,

Neglected and lone, on my lap to die, Thou pure and delicate child of the sky; For thou wilt be safe in my keeping:

mead,

In the cup where the bee and the firefly feed, Regaining thy dazzling brightness.

But, then, I must give thee a lovelier Or wouldst thou return to a home in the form;

Thou'lt not be a part of the wintry storm,

skies,

To shine in the Iris, I'll let thee arise,

And appear in the many and glorious dyes They rise and will live, from thy dust set

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

I ASKED an aged man, a man of cares, Wrinkled and curved, and white with hoary ́hairs:

"Time is the warp of life," he said; "oh, tell

And they replied (no oracle more wise): "Tis folly's blank and wisdom's highest prize."

I asked a spirit lost-but, oh, the shriek The young, the fair, the gay, to weave it That pierced my soul! I shudder while I well!"

[blocks in formation]

speak:

It cried, "A particle, a speck, a mite Of endless years, duration infinite."

Of things inanimate my dial I Consulted, and it made me this reply: "Time is the season fair of living well, The path to glory, or the path to hell."

I asked my Bible, and methinks it said,
"Thine is the present hour; the past is fled:
Live, live to-day; to-morrow never yet
On any human being rose or set."

I asked old Father Time himself at last,
But in a moment he flew swiftly past;
His chariot was a cloud, the viewless wind
His noiseless steeds, that left no trace

behind.

I asked the mighty Angel, who shall stand One foot on sea, and one on solid land: "By heaven's great King, I swear the mystery's o'er !

Time was," he cried, "but Time SHALL BÉ

no more."

MARSDEN.

COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR.

"AND wherefore do the Poor complain?" | She said her father was at home, The Rich man asked of me;

Come, walk abroad with me," I said, "And I will answer thee."

'Twas evening, and the frozen streets Were cheerless to behold;

And we were wrapped and coated well, And yet we were a-cold.

We met an old bareheaded man, His locks were few and white; I asked him what he did abroad In that cold winter's night.

The cold was keen indeed, he said,
But at home no fire had he,
And therefore he had come abroad
To ask for charity.

We met a young barefooted child, And she begged loud and bold; I asked her what she did abroad When the wind it blew so cold.

And he lay sick a-bed,

And therefore was it she was sent Abroad to beg for bread.

We saw a woman sitting down Upon a stone to rest;

She had a baby at her back,

And another at her breast.

I asked her why she loitered there,
When the night-wind was so chill;
She turned her head, and bade the child
That screamed behind, be still;-

Then told us that her husband served,
A soldier, far away,
And therefore to her parish she
Was begging back her way.

I turned me to the Rich man, then,
For silently stood he-

'You asked me why the Poor complain, And these have answered thee !" SOUTHEY.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

THERE was joy in the ship, as she furrowed | That she offered to God, in her agony wild,

the foam,

For fond hearts within her were dreaming of home.

The young mother pressed fondly her babe to her breast,

And sang a sweet song as she rocked it to rest;

Was, "Father, have mercy! look down on

my child!"

She flew to her husband, she clung to his

side;

Oh! there was her refuge whatever betide!

And the husband sat cheerily down by her Fire! fire! it is raging above and below;

side,

And looked with delight on the face of his bride.

And the smoke and hot cinders all blindingly blow.

The cheek of the sailor grew pale at the sight,

"Oh, happy!" said he, "when our roaming And his eyes glistened wild in the glare of

is o'er,

[blocks in formation]

the light.

The smoke in thick wreaths mounted higher and higher!—

O God! it is fearful to perish by fire! Alone with destruction!-alone on the sea! Great Father of Mercy! our hope is in thee!

They prayed for the light, and at noontide

about

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

And the mother knelt down; and the half- They bear down upon us!--thank God! we

spoken prayer

are saved!"

C. MACKAY.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

For your cheerfulness almost would make And hang down their heads, as they walk

[blocks in formation]

Though your path all around may with And still on your tongue words of comfort

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

"Father Peter, your body resembles the Master Francis, a thousand enjoyments

oak,

Decked with leaves, though its trunk may decline;

There is health in your features, and strength in your stroke,

are near,

And ten thousand temptations attend;
But, believing in Christ, you have nothing

to fear,

For he died to redeem, and still lives to defend.

And your cheek is more ruddy than mine.
There is something still better than health If thou make him thy hope, and thy trust,

[blocks in formation]
« AnteriorContinuar »