Abounding from its sources like a river Which through the dim lawns streams eternally! Virtue might then uplift her crest on high, Spurning those myriad bonds that fret and grieve her: Then all the powers of hell would quake and quiver Before the ardors of her awful eye. Alas for man with all his high desires, And inward promptings fading day by day! High-titled honor pants while it expires, And clay-born glory turns again to clay. Low instincts last: our great resolves pass by Like winds whose loftiest pæan ends but in a sigh. CHARLES DICKENS. And slyly he traileth along the ground, And his leaves he gently waves, And he joyously twines and hugs around The rich mould of dead men's graves. Creeping where no life is seen, A rare old plant is the Ivy green. Whole ages have fled, and their works decayed, And nations scattered been; But the stout old Ivy shall never fade From its hale and hearty green. The brave old plant in its lonely days Shall fatten upon the past; For the stateliest building man can raise Is the Ivy's food at last. Creeping where no life is seen, To temper the glare of the sun I would pray God to guard them from evil, But my prayer would bound back to myself; Ah! a seraph may pray for a sinner, But a sinner must pray for himself. The twig is so easily bended, I have banished the rule and the When the lessons of life are all ended, And death says "The school is dis missed!" May the little ones gather around me To bid me 66 good-night" and be kissed! MARY LOWE DICKINSON. IF WE HAD BUT A DAY. WE should fill the hours with the | We should guide our wayward or sweetest things, If we had but a day; wearied wills By the clearest light; We should drink alone at the purest We should keep our eyes on the springs In our upward way; heavenly hills, If they lay in sight; We should love with a lifetime's love We should trample the pride and the in an hour, If the hours were few; discontent Beneath our feet; We should rest, not for dreams, but We should take whatever a good for fresher power To be and to do. God sent, With a trust complete. |