A Picture. At either side the stooping cart With gorgeous tints around it drawn; Q To The Moon, UEEN of the silver bow-by thy pale beam, Alone and pensive, I delight to stray, And watch thy shadow trembling in the stream, Or mark the floating clouds that cross thy way: And, while I gaze, thy mild and placid light Sheds a soft calm upon my troubled breast; And oft I think, fair planet of the night, That in thy orb the wretched may have rest; The sufferers of the earth perhaps may go, Released by death, to thy benignant sphere, And the sad children of despair and woe Forget, in thee, their cup of sorrow here. Oh that I soon may reach thy world serene, Poor wearied pilgrim in this toiling scene! -Charlotte Smith. WHY The Primroses, Filled with Morning Dew. HY do ye weep, sweet babes? Can tears Who were but born Just as the modest morn Teemed her refreshing dew? Alas! you have not known that shower Nor felt the unkind Breath of a blasting wind; Or warped as we, Who think it strange to see Such pretty flowers, like to orphans young, Speaking by tears before ye have a tongue. Speak, whimp'ring younglings, and make known The reason why Ye droop and weep; Is it for want of sleep, Or childish lullaby? Or that ye have not seen as yet Or brought a kiss From that sweet heart to this? By your tears shed, Would have this lecture read, "That things of greatest, so of meanest worth, Conceived with grief are, and with tears brought forth." Robert Herrick. 'HEN took the generous host THEN The Rose. [From "Hassen Ben Khaled."] basket filled with roses. Every guest Cried, "Give me roses!" and he thus addressed His words to all: "He who exalts them most In song, he only shall the roses wear." Then sang a guest: "The rose's cheeks are fair; It crowns the purple bowl, and no one knows If the rose colors it, or it the rose." And sang another: "Crimson is its hue, And on its breast the morning's crystal dew Is changed to rubies." Then a third replied: "It blushes in the sun's enamored sight, As a young virgin on her wedding night, When from her face the bridegroom lifts the veil." -Bayard Taylor. |