THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. BY HENRY W. LONG FELLOW. UNDER a spreading chestnut tree With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms His hair is crisp, and black, and long; His brow is wet with honest sweat; He earns whate'er he can, And looks the whole world in the face, For he owes not any man. Week out, week in, from morn till night, You can hear him swing his heavy sledge, Like a sexton ringing the old kirk chimes And children coming home from school, They love to see the flaming forge, And catch the burning sparks that fly He goes on Sunday to the church, He hears the parson pray and preach, Singing in the village choir, And it makes his heart rejoice. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. It sounds to him like her mother's voice, He needs must think of her once more, How in the grave she lies; And with his hard rough hand he wipes Toiling-rejoicing-sorrowing- Something attempted-something done, Has earned a night's repose. Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of Life Our fortunes must be wrought, Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought. 37 THE ROBIN. BY JONES VERY. THOU need'st not flutter from thy half-built nest, Fearing his eye for harm may on thee rest, That with morn's stillness blends the voice of song, For over-anxious cares their souls employ, That else upon thy music borne along And the light wings of heart-ascending prayer Had learned that Heaven is pleased thy simple joys to share. THE SYLPH OF AUTUMN. BY WASHINGTON ALLSTON. AND now, in accents deep and low, Like voice of fondly-cherished wo, The Sylph of Autumn sad: Though I may not of raptures sing, That graced the gentle song of Spring, Like Summer, playful pleasures bring, Thy youthful heart to glad ; Yet still may I in hope aspire Thy heart to touch with chaster fire, And purifying love: For I with vision high and holy, And spell of quick'ning melancholy, Thy soul from sublunary folly First raised to worlds above. What though be mine the treasures fair Of purple grape and yellow pear, D* |