The ancient spirit is not dead; Old times, thought I, are breathing there; Such strength, a dignity so fair: She begg'd an alms, like one in poor estate; Protected from this cold damp air ? " "I had a son, who many a day In Denmark he was cast away: And I have travell'd weary miles to see If aught which he had own'd might still remain for me. "The bird and cage they both were his : 'Twas my son's bird; and neat and trim This singing-bird had gone with him; When last he sail'd, he left the bird behind; From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind. "He to a fellow-lodger's care Had left it, to be watched and fed, And pipe its song in safety; - there I found it when my son was dead; And now, God help me for my little wit! I bear it with me, Sir;-he took so much delight in it." WORDSWORTH. 49. THE BEST KEPT TILL LAST. Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. St. John ii. 10. THE heart of childhood is all mirth: We frolic to and fro As free and blithe, as if on earth But if, indeed, with reckless faith Too surely, every setting day, Why should we fear, youth's draught of joy, If Why should the cup the sooner cloy, Which God hath deign'd to bless? Who but a Christian, through all life Fathers may hate us or forsake, – But we shall still have Thee. We may look home, and seek in vain A fond fraternal heart, But Christ hath giv'n his promise plain, Nor shall dull age, as worldlings say, Ever the richest, tenderest glow Such is thy banquet, dearest Lord; O give us grace, to cast know Our lot with thine,- to trust thy word,— And keep our best till last! KEBLE. 50. SATURDAY AFTERNOON. LOVE to look on a scene like this, And persuade myself that I am not old, For it stirs the blood in an old man's heart, And it makes his pulses fly, To catch the thrill of a happy voice, And the light of a pleasant eye. I have walk'd the earth for fourscore years; And my heart is ripe for the reaper, Death, But my heart will leap at a scene like this, Play on, play on; I am with you there, I am willing to die when my time shall come. For the world, at best, is a weary place, But the grave is dark, and the heart will fail And it wiles my heart from its dreariness, N. P. WILLIS. 51. CARDINAL WOLSEY. [From THE VANITY OF HUMAN WISHES.] IN full-blown dignity see Wolsey stand, To him the church, the realm, their pow'rs consign, Still to new heights his restless wishes tow'r, At length his sovereign frowns the train of state DR. JOHNSON. |