I 3. ALEXANDER SELKIRK. AM monarch of all I That sages have seen in thy face? Society, friendship, and love, Religion! what treasure untold But the sound of the church-going bell Ye winds, that have made me your sport, Of a land I shall visit no more. O tell me I yet have a friend, How fleet is a glance of the mind! And the swift-winged arrows of light! But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, And reconciles man to his lot. COWPER. 4. THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB. THE HE Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest when summer is green, That host with their banners at sunset were seen; Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown, That host, on the morrow, lay wither'd and strown. For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed on the face of the foe, as he pass'd; And the eyes of the sleepers wax'd deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still. And there lay the steed, with his nostril all wide, And there lay the rider, distorted and pale, And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail; LORD BYRON. 5. ST. PHILIP NERI AND THE YOUTH. ST. Philip Neri, as old readings say, Met a young stranger in Rome's streets one day; And being ever courteously inclined To give young folks a sober turn of mind, St. Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome? St. Suppose it so -what have you next in view? St. Well; and how then? Y. Why, then, for aught I know, I may be made a bishop. St. Y. Be it so Why, cardinal's a high degree And yet my lot it possibly may be. Y. Why who can say But I've a chance of being pope one day? St. Well, having worn the mitre, and red hat, And triple crown, what follows after that? Y. Nay, there is nothing further to be sure, Upon this earth, that wishing can procure: When I've enjoy'd a dignity so high, As long as God shall please, then-I must die. St. What! must you die? fond youth! and at the best But wish and hope, and may be all the rest! Take my advice-whatever may betide, For that which must be, first of all provide; Then think of that which may be; and indeed, When well prepar'd, who knows what may succeed? But you may be, as you are pleas'd to hope, Priest, canon, bishop, cardinal, and pope. DR. BYROM. 6. THE QUEEN OF THE MAY. OU must wake and call me early, call me early, mother dear; To-morrow 'ill be the happiest day of all the glad new year; Of all the glad new year, mother, the maddest merriest day; For I'm to be Queen of the May, mother, I'm to be Queen of the May. There's many a black, black eye they say, but none so bright as mine; There's Margaret and Mary, there's Kate and Caroline; But none so fair as little Alice in all the land they say; So I'm to be Queen of the May, mother, I'm to be Queen of the May. I sleep so sound all night, mother, that I shall never wake, Little Effie shall go with me to-morrow to the green, And you'll be there. too, mother, to see me made the Queen; the May. |