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OMNIPOTENCE.

1.

THE spacious firmament on high,
With all the blue ethereal sky,
And spangled heavens, a shining frame,

Their great Original proclaim:
The unwearied sun, from day to day,
Does his Creator's power display,

And publishes to every land
The work of an Almighty hand.

2.

Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And, nightly, to the listening earth, Repeats the story of her birth;

Whilst all the stars that round us burn,

And all the planets in their turn,

Confirm the tidings as they roll,

And spread the truth from pole to pole.

3.

What though, in solemn silence, all
Move round this dark terrestrial ball;
What though no real voice nor sound
Amid their radiant orbs be found;
In Reason's ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious voice,
For ever singing as they shine,
'The hand that made us is Divine !'

THE CAMEL.

CAMEL, thou art good and mild,
Might'st be guided by a child;
Thou wert made for usefulness,
Man to comfort and to bless.

Thou dost clothe him; thou dost feed;
Thou dost lend to him thy speed.

And through wilds of trackless sand,
In the hot Arabian land-

Where no rock its shadow throws;
Where no pleasant water flows;
Where the hot air is not stirred
By the wing of singing bird-
There thou go'st, untired and meek,
Day by day, and week by week,
Bearing freight of precious things,
Silk for merchants, gold for kings;
Pearls of Ormuz, riches rare,
Damascene and Indian ware;
Bale on bale, and heap on heap,

Laden like a costly ship!

When the red simoom comes near, Camel, dost thou know no fear? When the desert sands uprise Flaming crimson to the skies, And like pillared giants strong, Stalk the dreary waste along, Bringing Death unto his prey, Does not thy good heart give way?

THE CAMEL.

Camel, no! thou dost for man
All thy generous nature can;
Thou dost lend to him thy speed
In that awful time of need;

And when the dread simoom goes by,
Teachest him to close his eye,
And bow down before the blast,
Till the purple death has passed!

And when week by week is gone,
And the traveller journeys on
Feebly; when his strength is fled,
And his hope and heart seem dead,
Camel, thou dost turn thine eye
On him kindly, soothingly,
As if thou would'st cheering say,
'Journey on for this one day!
Do not let thy heart despond;
There is water yet beyond!
I can scent it in the air;
Do not let thy heart despair!'
And thou guid'st the traveller there.

Camel, thou art good and mild,
Might'st be guided by a child;
Thou wert made for usefulness,
Man to comfort and to bless;
And these desert wastes must be
Untracked regions but for thee!

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John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.

3.

To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.

JOHN GILPIN.

My sister and my sister's child,
Myself and children three,

Will fill the chaise, so you must ride
On horseback after we.

5.

He soon replied, I do admire

Of womankind but one ;

And you are she, my dearest dear,
Therefore it shall be done.

6.

I am a linen-draper bold,

As all the world doth know,

And my good friend the calender,
Will lend his horse to go.

7.

Quoth Mrs Gilpin, that's well said;
And, for that wine is dear,

We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear.

8.

John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;

O'erjoyed was he to find,

That, though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

9.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all

Should say that she was proud.

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