Who quits a world where strong temptations try, DIRGE. Goldsmith. The summer winds sing lullaby O'er Mary's little grave; And the summer flowers spring tenderly, For oh her life was short and sweet, A little while the beauteous gem And we laid o'er her gentle frame the sod, The birds she loved so well to hear Her parting requiem sing; And her memory lives in the silent tear, For her kind little feelings will ne'er be forgot Roscoe. THE WAY TO MAKE OLD AGE COMFORTABLE. You are old, father William,' the young man cried, • The few locks that are left you are grey; You are hale, father William, a hearty old man, • Now tell me the reason, I pray?" In the days of my youth,' father William replied, And abused not my health and my vigour at first, You are old, father William,' the young man cried, And yet you lament not the days that are gone, • Now tell me the reason, I pray?' In the days of my youth,' father William replied, "I remembered that youth would not last, I thought on the future whatever I did, • You are old, father William,' the young man cried, And life must be hastening away; You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death, • Now tell me the reason, I pray?' 'I am cheerful, young man,' father William replied, Let the cause thy attention engage; 'In the days of my youth I remembered my God, And He hath not forgotten my age.' THE FRAILTY OF BEAUTY. Southey. I must tune up my harp's broken string, For I'll tell her-youth's blossom is blown, And that beauty, the flower, must fade : (And sure, if a lady can frown, She'll frown at the words I have said.) The smiles of the rose-bud how fleet! How snow white the lily appears, Yet the life of a lily's a day; Ah, Beauty! of all things on earth Ah, fair ones! so sad is the tale; I must lay down my harp, and must weep. But Virtue indignantly seized hand; As she uttered her awful command. Thy tears and thy pity employ For the thoughtless, the giddy, the vain, But those who my blessings enjoy For beauty alone ne'er bestowed 'Time's hand, and the pestilence rage, No hue, no complexion can brave; For beauty must yield to old age, But I will not yield to the grave.' Rev. C. Wolfe. |