Among the ones who often came "My friend, where'er your chisel moves I wish I could on hearts of stone The sculptor slowly raised his head, Would grow soft as the evening breeze, He said no more, but the lesson sank A marble coat may wear, But the marble cover can be chipped off And rent by the aid of prayer. The Angelus. ST. MARTIN AND THE BEGGAR. IN the freezing cold and the blinding snow Folding his cloak o'er clanking mail, Famished he seems, and almost spent, One downward pass of the gleaming sword, And the storm-wind howls 'neath the frowning skies. “Half for thee"-and with tender art He gathers the cloak round the beggar's heart "And half for me;" and with jocund song Lo! as he slept at midnight's prime, The Lord Christ beamed on his dazzled sight. HOW THE BEES CAME BY THEIR STING. THE honey-bees on Mount Hymettus, long and long ago, Had made some honey from the very sweetest flowers that grow; It was very clear, translucent, and golden in its hue, It tasted of the sunshine, the roses, and the dew. And they all declared, the oldest inhabitant as well As the youngest, that for whiteness and firmness of the cell, For sweetness and for flavor, that there was not anywhere A drop of honey that with this a moment could compare. It seemed as though all gracious things had entered into it, It seemed an offering for the king of high Olympus fit. So thought the queen bee, and, of course, the others thought as she did; Therefore, without dissenting, it quickly was conceded That she should take it up to him (I quite assume that you know That when I speak of Jupiter, I am including Juno). So up to Mount Olympus, to Jupiter the Great, The queen bee of Hymettus went flying swift and straight, And laid her gift of honey, fresh, amber-hued, and sweet, With many pretty compliments, low at his highness' feet, 66 Saying: "O gracious Jupiter! the gift I bring contains The life of verdant valleys, and the soul of summer rains; The freshness of the morning, the noon's effulgent glory, The blushes of the roses as they listen to the story That the south wind whispers to them, and the fragrant breath that comes From the lips of lily blossoms and the heart of clover-blooms; Besides which, and far better, it holds a love as true As the sweetness of the lilies or the freshness of the dew. And with humble admiration, we beg that you will let us At the feet of Mount Olympus lay the heart of Mount Hymettus." From all of which remarks it is plainly to be seen That she was a very eloquent, poetical bee queen. And Jupiter, admiring, unto himself avers That his kindness and politeness at least shall equal hers. And so, with many a winning smile and many a gracious bow, He accepted her fair offering, explaining to her how Of all the gifts from any land or clan, or tribe or nation, There could be none that he would hold in higher estimation. |