Th' unwearied sun from day to day, Soon as the ev'ning shades prevail, While all the stars that round her burn, What though in solemn silence all In reason's ear they all rejoice, THE ROSE. How fair is the rose! what a beautiful flower! The glory of April and May ; But the leaves are beginning to fade in an hour, And they wither and die in a day. Yet the rose has one powerful virtue to boast When its leaves are all dead, and fine colours are lost, So frail is the youth and the beauty of men, Then I'll not be proud of my youth or my beauty, But gain a good name by well doing my duty;- THE DROWNING FLY. In yonder glass behold a drowning fly: VIRTUOUS YOUTH AND CHEERFUL OLD AGE. You are old, Father William, the young man he said, In the days of my youth, Father William reply'd, And abused not my health and my vigour at first, You are old, Father William, the young man he said, And yet you lament not the days that are gone- In the days of my youth, Father William reply'd, I thought of the future, whatever I did, That I never might grieve for the past. You are old, Father William, the young man he said, And life must be hasting away; You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death Now tell me the reason, I pray. I am cheerful, young man, Father William reply'd, In the days of my youth, I remember'd my God- "PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD." TO-MORROW, Lord, is thine, The present moment flies, And bears our life away; One thing demands our care, Be that one thing pursu'dLest, slighted now, we never hear Thy warming voice renew'd; Teach us thy name, to fear THE HAPPY FAMILY. Oh! 'tis a pleasant sight to see Their steps to guide, their labours bless, To comfort them in each distress, And make them taste true happiness. And, still, as ev'ning shades retire, To see them gather round the fire, Happy and pleas'd again to meet; The little ones their sisters greet, When all day parted doubly sweet. Their humble dwelling neat and clean, Shows where th' industrious hand has been Daily employed, with busy care, For children with their mother share The labour-which keeps order there. Sanded the floor, the window bright, Clean is the hearth, the table white; No clothes unfolded strew the bed, But neat-patch'd quilt in order spread, The children's work when school is finish'd; The Bible neatly covered o'er, With pious rev'rence, and a store Of useful books which point to youth The paths of virtue and of truth. All prove a source of pure delight, And gladden many a winter's night. Their day's work done, before they rest Some child belov'd who reads the best, The Bible takes, the rest draw near, Well-pleased those heav'nly truths to hear, Which fill their hearts with love, And make their parents dear. |