peâr-trees rustle through all their leaves, and my paper is whisked away by the intruding blåst. Thêre is a quiet of a moment, in which the wind, even, seems weary and faint; and nothing finds utterance save one hōarse tree-tōad, doling out his lugubrious 1 notes. 12. Now comes a blinding flåsh from the clouds; and a quick, sharp clang clatters through the heavens, and běllōwş loud and long among the hills. Then-like great grief spending its pent agony in tears come the big drops of rain, pattering on the lawn, and on the leaves, and most musically of all upon the roof above me; not now with the light fall of the spring shower, but with strong steppings, like the first proud tread of youth. I III. MITCHELL.2 60. THANK GOD FOR SUMMER. LOVED the Winter once with all my soul, And longed for snow-storms, hail and mantled skies; And sang their praises in as gãy a trōll3 As troubadours have poured to Beauty's eyes. 2. I deemed the hard, black frost a pleasant thing, For logs blazed high, and horses' hoofs rung out; To eat the bread my young hand flung about. 3. But I have walked into the world since then, And seen the bitter work that cold can doWhere the grim Ice King levels babes and men With bloodless spear, that pierces through and through. 4. I know now, thêre are those who sink and lie Upon a stone bed at the dead of night; I know the rooflèss and unfed must die, When even lips at Plenty's feast tûrn white. 5. And now whenê'er I hear the cuckoo's song In budding woods, I bless the joyous comer; 1 Lu gūbri oŭs, mournful; indicating sorrow. 2 Donald G. Mitchell, an American author, was born in Norwich, Conn., in April, 1822. His numerous works have been well received. His style is quiet, pure, and effective. 3 Troll, a song, the parts of which are sung in succession; a catch; a round. While my heart runs a cadence in a throng Of hopeful notes, that say "Thank God for summer!" 6. I've learnt that sunshine bringèth more than flowers, 7. The aged limbs that quiver in their tåsk Of dragging life on, when the north-winds gōad, In the straight beams that warm their churchyard road. 9. The moping idiot seemèth less distraught2 And läugh, and clutch the blades, as though he thought 10. Ah! dearly now I hail the nightingale, And greet the bee-the merry-going hummer; And when the lilies peep so sweet and pale, I kiss their cheeks, and say "Thank God for summer!" 11. Feet that limp, blue and bleeding as they go For dainty cresses in December's dawn, 12. The tired pilgrim, who would shrink with dread Of hopeless pity shadowing my brow, To think how naked flesh must feel your fang. 1 Pĭt'tance, an allowance of food, given in charity; any small allowance. 2 Dis traught', distracted; perplexed. 14. My eyes watch now to see the elms unfold, 15. And when fâir Flōrå3 sends the butterfly Painted and spangled, as her herald mummer1___ "Now for warm holidays," my heart will cry, "The poor will suffer less! THANK GOD FOR SUMMER!" ELIZA COOK.5 SECTION XVII. I. 61. THE WISDOM OF ALEXANDER. TH PART FIRST. HE bannered hosts of Macedon 6 stood arrayed in splendid might. Crowning the hills, and filling the valleys, far and wide extended the millions in arms, who waited on the word of the young Alexăn'der the most superb array of human power which sceptered ambition ever evoked to do its bidding. 2. That army was to sweep nations off the earth, and make a continent its camp; following the voice of one whose sword 1 Cǎl'low, naked; unfledged; destitute of feathers. 2 Nook (nok), a narrow place between bodies; a corner; a recess; a retired place. Journal," a popular weekly publication. She has contributed much, both in prose and verse, to different periodicals. 6 Mǎc'e don, an ancient country Flo'ra, the Roman goddess of of S. E. Europe, N. of Greece. flowers and spring. 4 Mum'mer, one who makes diversion in disguise; a masker ; a clown. 5 Eliza Cook, an English authoress, was born in London about 1818. A collection of her poems was first published in 1840. For several years she was editress of " Eliza Cook's "Alexander the Great, son of Philip, king of Macedon, was born in the autumn, B.C. 356. He made so many conquests that he was styled the Conqueror of the World. He died in May or June, B.C. 323. 8 E vōked', called out; summoned fōrth. was the index to glory, whose command was the synonym1 of triumph. It now stood expectant, for the king yet lingered. 3. While his war-horse fretted at the gate, and myriäds2 thus in silence waited his appearance, Alexander took his way to the apartment of his mother. The sole ligaments which bound him to virtue and to feeling was the love of that mother; and the tie was as strong as it was tender. 4. In mute dejection, they embraced; and Alexander, as he gazed upon that affectionate face, which had never been turned to him but in tenderness and yearning love, seemed to ask, "Shall I ever again behold that sweet smile?" The anxiety of his mother's countenance denoted the same sad curiosity; and without a word, but with the self-same feeling in their hearts, they went out together to seek the Ŏraeleş5 in the temple of Philip, to learn their fate. 5. Alone, in unuttered sympathy, the two ascended the steps of the sacred temple, and approached the shrine. A priest stood behind the altar. The blue smoke of the incense eûrled upward in front, and the book of oracles was befōre him. 6. "Whêre shall my grave be digged?" said the king; and the priest opened the book and read, "Where the soil is of iron, and the sky of gold, there shall the grave of the monarch of men be digged." 7. To the utmost limit, Asia had become the possession of the Macedonian. Fatigued with conquest, and anxious to seek a country where the difficulty of victory should enhance its value, the hero was returning to Europe. A few days would have brought him to the capital of his kingdom, when he fell suddenly ill. He was lifted from his horse, and one of his generals, ness of spirits caused by misfortune or grief. 1 Syn'o năm, one of two or mōre words in the same language which are the precise equivalents of each other, or which have věry nearly the same meaning. 2 Myr'i ad, the number of ten thousand-sometimes used for any very large number. 3 Ligʻa ment, any thing that ties or unites one thing or part toanother; a bond. 5 Oracle (ŏr'a kl), the answer of a god, or some person said to be a god, among the heathen, to an inquiry made in regard to some future event; the god who gave the answer, or the place where it was given; the Sacred Scriptures; a wise person. 6 Asia (a'shĭ å). 'Enhance (en håns'), raise to a 'Dejection (de jěk ́shŭn), low- higher point; advånce; increase. unlacing his armor, spread it out for him to lie upon, and held his golden shield to screen him from the mid-day sun. 8. When the king raised his eyes, and beheld the glittering canopy, he was conscious of the omen. "The oracle has said that where the ground should be of iron, and the sky of gold, there should my grave be made! Behold the fulfillment! It is a mournful thing! The young cypress is cut down in the vigor of its strength, in the first fullness of its beauty. The thread of life is snapped suddenly, and with it a thousand prospects vanish, a thousand hopes are crushed! But let the will of fate be done! She has long obeyed my behest !1 I yield myself now to hers! Yět, my mother!" 9. And the monarch mused in mel'ancholy silence. At length he turned to his attendants, and ordered his tablets to be brought; and he took them, and wrote, "Let the customary älms, which my mother shall distribute at my death, be given to those who have never felt the miseries of the world, and have never lost those who were dear to them;" and sinking back upon his iron couch, he yielded up his breath. They buried him where he died, and an army wept over his grave! II. 62. THE WISDOM OF ALEXANDER. PART SECOND. HEN the intelligence of the death of Alexander was brought to his mother, as she sat among her ladies, she was overwhelmed by anguish.2 "Ah! why," she exclaimed, "was I exalted so high, only to be plunged into such depth of misery?" Why was I not made of lower condition, so, haply, I had escaped such grief? The joy of my youth is plucked up, the comfort of my age is withered! Who is mōre wretched than I?" And she refused to be comforted. 3 2. The låst wish of her son was read to her, and she resolved to perform that one remaining duty, and then retire to solitude, to 1 Be hěst, that which is willed or ordered; commånd. 2 Anguish (ang'gwish), extreme pain of body or mind; bitter sorrow. 3 Mis'er y, wretchedness; woe; great unhappiness. 4 Sŏl'i tude, the state of being alone; loneliness. |