THE BETTER LAND. I hear thee speak of the better land; Is it where the flower of the orange blows, Is it where the feathery palm-trees rise, Is it far away, in some region old, Where the rivers wander o'er sands of gold- (1) Radiant-shining. (2) Fire-flies-beautiful insects found in tropical climes, which emit light from beneath their wing, and flying about in the lovely evenings of those beauteous countries, appear like particles of fire. (3) Ruby-a precious red stone. 'Eye hath not seen it, my gentle boy! (4) Faultless-without fault or imperfection. MRS. HEMANS. This deservedly well known and popular poem, is worthy of your admiration, and will I am sure be learnt rather as a pleasure than a task. The poetess is perfectly right the better land' or Heaven towards which, we all at times cling as to a bright and holy hope, is not to be found on any part of this world of ours. It is beyond the clouds and beyond the tomb, in a region of unspeakable beauty, where the Saviour of the world will shed his love, his glory, and his goodness on all around. May you live worthily, so as to be received into those holy habitations. THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER. Father of all! in every age, In every clime ador'd,(1) By saint, by savage, and by sage, Jehovah, Jove, or Lord! Thou great First Cause, least understood, Who all my sense confin'd To know but this, that thou art good, And that myself am blind; (1) Ador'd-worshipped. Yet gave me, in this dark estate, (2) And, binding Nature fast in Fate, (3) Left free the human will. What conscience dictates to be done, This, teach me more than hell to shun, What blessings thy free bounty (4) gives, For God is paid when man receives; Yet not to earth's contracted (5) span Or think thee Lord alone of man, Let not this weak unknowing hand If I am right, thy grace impart, 8 Still in the right to stay; If I am wrong, oh! teach my heart To find that better way. (2) Estate-abode, world. (6) (3) Fate-destiny, providence. [ (4) Bounty-goodness, generosity. (5) Contracted-shortened. (6) Space-lasting only a short time, often applied to our career or life on earth, which is alike short and uncertain. (7) Foe-an enemy, or adversary. | (8) Impart-communicate, grant, or reveal. Save me alike from foolish pride, At aught thy wisdom has deny'd, Teach me to feel another's woe, Mean tho' I am, not wholly so, O lead me wheresoe'er I go, Thro' this day's life or death. This day, be bread and peace my lot; Thou know'st if best bestowed or not, To thee whose temple is all space, Whose altar, earth, sea, skies, One chorus let all beings raise, All nature's incense 11 rise: РОРЕ. (9) Impious-wicked. (10) Quickened-created, made, having the breath of life 11 Incense-offering. THE CUCKOO. Hail, beauteous stranger of the wood, Attendant on the spring! Now heaven repairs thy vernal (1) seat, Soon as the daisy decks the green, Delightful visitant! with thee I hail the time of flowers, When heaven is filled with music sweet Of birds among the bowers. The school-boy wandering in the wood, Soon as the pea puts on the bloom, An (3) annual guest in other lands, Another spring to hail, Sweet bird, thy bower is ever green, Thy sky is ever clear; Thou hast no sorrow in thy song, No winter in thy year! (1) Vernal-belonging to the spring.-(2) Lay-song, note. |