Which must be carried on, and safely may; LESSON LXXXVI. The River Thames. - DENHAM.* "And praise the easy vigor of a line, Where Denham's strength and Waller's smoothness join." 1. My eye, descending from the hill, surveys Hasting to pay his tribute to the sea, POPE. 2. Though with those streams he no remembrance hold, The mower's hopes, nor mock the plowman's toil, 4. When he to boast or to disperse his stores,' *He flourished from 1615 to 1668. 5. O, could I flow like thee, and make thy stream My great example, as it is my theme! Though deep yet clear, though gentle yet not dull, LESSON LXXXVII. Upon the Sight of a Great Library. — JOSEPH Hall.* 1. WHAT a world of wit is here packed up together! I know not whether this sight doth more dismay or comfort me: it dismays me to think that here is so much that I cannot know; it comforts me to think that this variety yields so good helps to know what I should. 2. There is no truer word than that of Solomon, - there is no end of making many books; this sight verifies it there is no end; indeed, it were pity there should. God hath given to man a busy soul, the agitation whereof cannot but through time and experience' work out many hidden truths. 3. To suppress these would be no other than injurious to mankind, whose minds, like unto so many candles, should be kindled by each other. The thoughts of our deliberation are most accurate; these we vent into our papers. What a happiness is it, that, without all offense of necromancy, I may here call up any of the ancient worthies of learning, whether human or divine, and confer with them of all my doubts! that I can at pleasure summon whole synods of reverend fathers, and acute doctors, from all the coasts of the earth, to give their well-studied judgments, in all points of question which I propose. 4. Neither can 1 cast my eye casually upon any of these silent masters, but I must learn somewhat; it is a wantonness to complain of choice. No law binds me to read all; but the more we can take in and digest, the better liking must the mind's needs be. Blessed be God, that hath set up so many clear lamps in his church! 5. Now, none but the willfully blind can plead darkness; and blessed be the memory of those his faithful servants, that have left their blood, their spirits, their lives, in these precious papers, and have willingly wasted themselves into these during monuments, to give light unto others. * 1650,- called the English Seneca. 1. Go, lovely rose ! Tell her that wastes her time and me, That now she knows, When I resemble her to thee, How sweet and fair she seems to be. And shuns to have her graces spied, In deserts, where no men abide, Of beauty from the light retired; Suffer herself to be desired, And not blush so to be admired. The common fate of all things rare How small a part of time they share That are so wondrous sweet and fair! LESSON LXXXIX. On the Day of Judgment. - EARL OF ROSCOMMON.† 1. THAT day of wrath, that dreadful day, Shall the whole world in ashes lay, As David and the sibyls say. What horror will invade the mind, When the strict Judge, who would be kind, 2. The last loud trumpet's wondrous sound And view the Judge with conscious eyes. *Flourished from 1657 to 1687. + Born 1633; died 1684. 3. Then shall, with universal dread, 4. O then, what interest shall I make Thou mercy's unexhausted spring, 5. Forget not what my ransom cost, Prostrate my contrite heart I rend, My God, my Father, and my Friend, 6. Well may they curse their second breath, Who rise to a reviving death. Thou great Creator of mankind, Let guilty man compassion find! LESSON XC. The Hours.-M. G. LEWIS. 1. NE'ER were the zephyrs known disclosing More sweets, than when in Tempe's shades They waved the lilies, where reposing Sat four-and-twenty lovely maids. Those lovely maids were called "the Hours," And each in turn employed her powers To guard it while her sisters slept. 2. False Love, how simple souls thou cheatest! In myrtle bower that traitor near Long watched an Hour the softest, sweetest - The thoughtless Hour forgot her duty, 3. Meanwhile the fold was left unguarded; An hour once fled, has fled forever, . 1. GIANT aggregate of nations, Live united, hands and hearts ! Stand in beauteous strength together, 2. Every petty class-dissension, 3. Fling away absurd ambition! Be above such groveling things! All your hate be joys of war, And by all means keep United Sister States, as Now ye are! 4. Were I but some scornful stranger, Still my counsel would be just; Break the band, and all is danger, |