3. Who, when great trials come, Nor seeks nor shuns them; but doth calmly stay What place or person calls for, he doth pay. 4. Whom none can work or woo, To use in anything a trick or sleight; 5. Who never melts or thaws At close temptations; when the day is done, And is their virtue; virtue is his sun. 6. Who when he is to treat With sick folks, women, those whom passions sway, Allows for that, and keeps his constant way; Whom others' faults do not defeat, But though men fail him, yet his part doth play. 7. Whom nothing can procure, When the world runs bias, from his will To writhe his limbs, and share, not mend the ill. Who still is right, and prays to be so still. George Herbert (1593 — 1633). THE EQUALITY OF THE GRAVE. 1. The glories of our blood and state Are shadows, not substantial things; Sceptre and crown And in the dust be equal made With the poor crooked scythe and spade. 2. Some men with swords may reap the field, They stoop to fate, And must give up their murmuring breath, 3. The garlands wither on your brow, Then boast no more your mighty deeds; See, where the victor-victim bleeds: To the cold tomb, Only the actions of the just Smell sweet, and blossom in their dust. James Shirley (1594-1666). Note. This is said to have been a favourite song of Charles II. THE SHEPHERD AND THE PHILOSOPHER. 1. Remote from cities lived a swain 2. A deep Philosopher (whose rules Of moral life were drawn from schools), The Shepherd's homely cottage sought, And hast thou fathomed Tully's3 mind? 3. The Shepherd modestly replied, 4. The daily labours of the bee 1 A Grecian philosopher, born at Athens B.C. 429. He was a follower of Socrates, and one of his most ardent admirers. 2 The celebrated Athenian philosopher, born B.C. 469. He had an immovable conviction of the immortality of the soul. 3 M. Tullius Cicero, the Roman orator, born B. C. 106. In his works, the Latin language appears in the greatest perfection. One of the principal Greek heroes in the Trojan war. He was distinguished for his valour, prudence, and eloquence. I mark his true, his faithful sway, 5. From Nature, too, I take my rule, Can grave and formal pass for wise, Who listens to the chattering pye? Nor would I, with felonious sleight, By stealth invade my neighbour's right; Kites, hawks, and wolves, deserve their fate. 6. Do not we just abhorrence find Against the toad and serpent kind? 7. Thy fame is just, the Sage replies, And those, without our schools, suffice John Gay (1688 — 1732). THE CUCKOO. (From the German.) A cuckoo to a starling said, Who from the city's din had fled, "What say the city's busy throng, What say they of our melody and song? What of the nightingale, I pray?" "With one accord they laud her strain." "And of the lark?" he cried again. "The half at least applaud her tuneful lay." "And of the blackbird?" he went on. "Is also praised by more than one.” "I pray one question more," he cried; "What say they in the town of me?" "I really cannot tell," his friend replied, "For not a soul e'er speaks of thee." “Then will I on ungrateful man my vengeance wreak, And ever of myself will speak." Gellert (1715-1769). TO THE LARK. 1. Mount, child of morning, mount and sing, And sound thy shrill alarms : And spreads its earliest charms. |