But where are the foe? Like a forest o'erblown, No chariot is wheel'd; To earth falls the shield. There is terror before them, And terror behind. Now, proud homicide, Thou art smote in thy pride! The Syrian is captive; His host are struck blind! There were writhings of agony, Yells of despair, As if seeking the glare. And sorcerers shouting To Baal, in pain The madness of tongue, And the madness of brain. And groups of pale chieftains Awaiting in gloom, Till the Israelite sword Those, those were the triumphs And those were the shepherds And the flock of the chosen And thy dead be unbound. And the day is at hand! ANONYMOUS. THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH. 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 face is like the tan; His brow is wet with honest sweat; And looks the whole world in the face, Week in, week out, from morn till night, Like a sexton ringing the village bell, And children coming home from school And hear the bellows roar, 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. It sounds to him like her mother's voice He needs must think of her once more, And with his hard rough hand he wipes Toiling, rejoicing,—sorrowing :- Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, Thus at the flaming forge of life Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought! LONGFELLOW. FOLLY OF ATTEMPTING TO PLEASE ALL MANKIND. ONCE on a time, a son and sire, we're told, The stripling tender, and the father old, To ease their limbs, and hawk about their ware: FOLLY OF ATTEMPTING TO PLEASE ALL MANKIND. 289 But as the sluggish animal was weak, They feared, if both should mount, his back would break. And through the gazing crowd attempts to pass. Here-Suke, Bill, Betty-put the child behind." Dismount, and bear the ass-then what a noise! 66 Vain his attempts who strives to please them all." FOOTE. |