39. Speeding Saturn cannot halt; Linger, thou shalt rue the fault. R. W. EMERSON. 40. See how from far upon the eastern road, The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet. 41. JOHN MILTON. This day we live in iss better than any day that wass before, or iss to come, bekass it iss here and we are alive. 42. WILLIAM BLACK. The hand that rounded Peter's dome And groined the aisles of Christian Rome, R. W. EMERSON. 43. The mind, that ocean where each kind ANDREW MARVELL. 44. To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 45. Who, grown familiar with the sky, will grope Henceforward among groundlings? 46. ROBERT BROWNING. Wrong ever builds on quicksands, but the right J. R. LOWELL. CHAPTER XIX. SHORT POEMS TO BE USED IN EXERCISES OF THE VARIETIES ILLUSTRATED IN THE LESSONS OF PART I. I. ABOU BEN ADHEM. Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!) And to the presence in the room he said, 'What writest thou?" The vision raised its head And, with a look made of all sweet accord, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." "And is mine one?" said Abou. 'Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still; and said, I pray thee, then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men." The angel wrote, and vanished; the next night It came again with a great wakening light And showed the names whom love of God had blest,— And lo, Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. LEIGH HUNT. II. THE MIDGES DANCE ABOON THE BURN. The midges dance aboon the burn; The dews begin to fa'; The pairtricks down the rushy holm Set up their e'ening ca'. Now loud and clear the blackbird's sang Beneath the golden gloamin' sky The redbreast pours his sweetest strains, The merry wren, frae den to den, The roses fauld their silken leaves, The simple joys that Nature yields ROBERT TANNAHILL. III. A WISH. Mine be a cot beside the hill; A bee-hive's hum shall soothe my ear The swallow, oft, beneath my thatch Shall twitter from her clay-built nest; Oft shall the pilgrim lift the latch, And share my meal, a welcome guest. Around my ivied porch shall spring Each fragrant flower that drinks the dew; The village church among the trees, Where first our marriage-vows were given, SAMUEL ROGERS. IV. THE BIRD. Hither thou com'st. The busy wind all night For which coarse man seems much the fitter born, And harmless head; And now, as fresh and cheerful as the light, Curbed them, and clothed thee well and warm. HENRY VAUGHAN. V. THE LOST LOVE. She dwelt among the untrodden ways A maid whom there were none to praise |