Then when he saw it would hold no more, And while for mercy on CHRIST they call, 66 I'faith, 'tis an excellent bonfire!" quoth he, "And the country is greatly obliged to me, "For ridding it in these times forlorn "Of rats, that only consume the corn." So then to his palace returned he, And he slept that night like an innocent man In the morning as he enter'd the hall, As he look'd there came a man from the farm, He had a countenance white with alarm; 66 My lord, I open'd your granaries this morn, "And the rats had eaten all your corn." Another came running presently, "I'll go to my tower on the Rhine," replied he, ""Tis the safest place in Germany; "The walls are high, and the shores are steep, "And the stream is strong, and the water deep." Bishop Hatto fearfully hasten'd away, He laid him down and closed his eyes, On his pillow from whence the screaming came. He listen'd and look'd; it was only the cat; For they have swam over the river so deep, To do the work for which they were sent. They are not to be told by the dozen or score, Down on his knees the Bishop fell, And faster and faster his beads did he tell, As louder and louder drawing near The gnawing of their teeth he could hear. And in at the windows, and in at the door, They have whetted their teeth against the stones, For they were sent to do judgment on him. Southey. A TRUE STORY. THE boy stood on the burning deck The flames that lit the battle's wreck The flames roll'd on. He would not go He called aloud: "Say, father, say 66 'If yet my task is done," He knew not that the chieftain lay 66 Unconscious of his son. Speak, father!" once again he cried, And but the booming shots replied, And fast the flames roll'd on. Upon his brow he felt their breath, And in his waving hair, And look'd from that lone post of death In still, yet brave despair; And shouted but once more aloud, "My Father! must I stay? While o'er him fast through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way. They wrapt the ship in splendour wild, And streamed above the gallant child Then came a burst of thunder sound- With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, Was that young faithful heart! Hemans. 15.-"HOW'S MY BOY?" Ho, sailor of the sea! "How's my boy-my boy?" "What's your boy's name, good wife, "And in what good ship sail'd he?" "My boy John "He that went to sea “What care I for the ship, sailor? "My boy's my boy to me. "You come back from sea "And not know my John? "I might as well have asked some landsman "Yonder down in the town. "There's not an ass in all the parish "But he knows my John. 66 How's my boy-my boy? "Blue jacket or no "Brass button or no, sailor, "Anchor and crown or no! "Sure his ship was the Jolly Briton.” "Speak low, woman, speak low!" "And why should I speak low, sailor, "About my own boy John? "If I was loud as I am proud "I'd sing him over the town! 66 Why should I speak low, sailor?" "That good ship went down." "How's my boy-my boy? “What care I for the ship, sailor? "Be she afloat, or be she aground, "I say, how's my John?" 66 Every man on board went down, "Every man aboard her.” "How's my boy—my boy? "What care I for the men, sailor? "I'm not their mother "How's my boy-my boy? "Tell me of him and no other! "How's my boy—my boy?" 16. THE RAINBOW. All dark and damp on yonder height, Dobell. |