For my cricket has learnt, I am sure of it quite, And perhaps he's been beaten and hurt in the fight, But I know he has found it far better to sing Than to talk of ill luck and to sigh,Little we care for the outside world, My friend the cricket, and I. Perhaps he has loved, and perhaps he has lost, SONG: ON MAY MORNING. JOHN MILTON. Now the bright morning star, day's harbinger, Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire TURN, FORTUNE, TURN THY WHEEL! ALFRED TENNYSON. TURN, Fortune, turn thy wheel, and lower the proud ; Turn thy wild wheel through sunshine, storm and cloud! Thy wheel and thee we neither love nor hate. Turn, Fortune, turn thy wheel with smile or frown; Smile and we smile, the lords of many lands; Turn, turn thy wheel above the staring crowd! TO MISTRESS MARGARET HUSSEY. JOHN SKELTON. MERRY Margaret As midsummer flower Gentle as falcon, Or hawk of the tower; So joyously, So womanly Her demeaning, - Or hawk of the tower; Sweet Pomander, Good Cassander; Steadfast of thought, Well made, well wrought; Far may be sought Ere you can find So courteous, so kind, As merry Margaret, This midsummer flower Gentle as falcon Or hawk of the tower. OH, THE PLEASANT DAYS OF OLD! FRANCES BROWN. Он, the pleasant days of old, which so often people praise! True, they wanted all the luxuries that grace our modern days: Bare floors were strewed with rushes—the walls let in the cold: Oh, how they must have shivered in those pleasant days of old! Oh, those ancient lords of old! How magnificent they were! They threw down and imprisoned kings-to thwart them, who might dare? They ruled their serfs right sternly; they took from Jews their gold — Above both law and equity were those great lords of old! Oh, the gallant knights of old, for their valor so renowned! With sword and lance and armor strong, they scoured the country round; And whenever aught to tempt them they met by wood or wold, By right of sword, they seized the prize -those gallant knights of old! Oh, those gentle dames of old, who, quite free from fear or pain, Could gaze on joust and tournament, and see their champion slain! They lived on good beefsteaks and ale, which made them strong and bold — Oh, more like men than women were those gentle dames of old! Oh, those mighty towers of old, with their turrets, moat, and keep, Their battlements and bastions, their dungeons dark. and deep! Full many a baron held his court within the castle hold; And many a captive languished there in those strong towers of old! Oh, the troubadours of old, with their gentle minstrelsie Of hope and joy or deep despair, whiche'er their lot might be! For years they served their ladye-love ere they their passion told; Oh, wondrous patience must have had those troubadours of old! Oh, those blessed times of old, with their chivalry and state! I love to read their chronicles which such brave deeds relate; |