THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE CRICKET

LEIGH HUNT

REEN little vaulter in the sunny grass,

Catching your heart up at the feet of June,
Sole voice that's heard amidst the lazy noon,
When ev'n the bees lag at the summoning brass;
And you, warm little housekeeper, who class

With those who think the candles come too soon,
Loving the fire, and with your tricksome tune
Nick the glad silent moments as they pass;
O sweet and tiny cousins, that belong,

One to the fields, the other to the hearth,

Both have your sunshine; both, though small, are strong
At your clear hearts; and both seem given to earth
To sing in thoughtful ears this natural song,—
Indoors and out, summer and winter, Mirth!

THE HOUSEKEEPER

CHARLES LAMB

THE frugal snail, with forecast of repose,

Carries his house with him where'er he goes; Peeps out, and, if there comes a shower of rain, Retreats to his small domicile amain.

Touch but a tip of him, a horn, 'tis well,-
He curls up in his sanctuary shell.
He's his own landlord, his own tenant; stay
Long as he will, he dreads no Quarter Day.
Himself he boards and lodges; both invites
And feasts himself; sleeps with himself o' nights.
He spares the upholsterer trouble to procure
Chattels; himself is his own furniture,
And his sole riches. Wheresoe'er he roam,
Knock when you will, he's sure to be at home.

B

THE SKYLARK

JAMES HOGG

IRD of the wilderness,

Blithesome and cumberless,

Sweet be thy matin o'er moorland and lea! Emblem of happiness,

Blest is thy dwelling-place

Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!

Wild is thy lay and loud,

Far in the downy cloud;

Love gives it energy, love gave it birth.
Where, on thy dewy wing,

Where art thou journeying?

Thy lay is in heaven, thy love is on earth.

O'er fell and fountain sheen,

O'er moor and mountain green,

O'er the red streamer that heralds the day, Over the cloudlet dim,

Over the rainbow's rim,

Musical cherub, soar, singing, away!

Then, when the gloaming comes,

Low in the heather blooms,

Sweet will thy welcome and bed of love be! Emblem of happiness,

Blest is thy dwelling-place –

Oh, to abide in the desert with thee!

W

BOY'S SONG

JAMES HOGG

HERE the pools are bright and deep,

Where the gray trout lies asleep,

Up the river, and o'er the lea,

That's the way for Billy and me.

Where the blackbird sings the latest,

Where the hawthorn blooms the sweetest, Where the nestings chirp and flee,

That's the way for Billy and me.

Where the mowers mow the cleanest,
Where the hay lies thick and greenest;
There to trace the homeward bee,
That's the way for Billy and me.

Where the hazel bank is steepest,
Where the shadow falls the deepest,
Where the clustering nuts fall free,
That's the way for Billy and me.

Why the boys should drive away
Little sweet maidens from the play,
Or love to banter and fight so well,
That's the thing I never could tell.

But this I know I love to play,
Through the meadow, among the hay;
Up the water and o'er the lea,
That's the way for Billy and me.

CHARLIE IS MY DARLING

JAMES HOGG

WAS on a Monday morning,

JWA

Right early in the year,

That Charlie came to our town,
The young Chevalier.

And Charlie he's my darling,

My darling, my darling,
Charlie he's my darling,
The young Chevalier.

As Charlie he came up the gate,
His face shone like the day;
I grat to see the lad come back
That had been lang away.
And Charlie he's my darling,

My darling, my darling,
Charlie he's my darling,
The young Chevalier.

And ilka bonnie lassie sang,
As to the door she ran,
"Our king shall hae his ain again,
And Charlie is the man:"
And Charlie he's my darling,

My darling, my darling,
Charlie he's my darling,
The young Chevalier.