JENNY KISSED ME

LEIGH HUNT

ENNY kissed me when we met,

JE

Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief! who love to get

Sweets into your list, put that in. Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,

Say that health and wealth have missed me, Say I'm growing old, but add

Jenny kissed me!

A

ABOU BEN ADHEM

LEIGH HUNT

BOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, And saw within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,

"What writest thou?"--the vision raised its head,

And, with a look made of all sweet accord,

Answer'd, "The names of those who love the Lord."
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, “I pray thee, then,
Write me as one that loves his fellowmen."

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night

It came again, with a great wakening light,

And show'd the names whom love of God had bless'd, And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!

THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE CRICKET

LEIGH HUNT

YREEN 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.

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!