ON A WATCH. WHILE this gay toy attracts thy sight, And seize, my dear, that rapid time, That never must return. If idly lost, no art or care The blessing can restore; And heav'n requires a strict account Short is our longest day of life, And soon its prospect ends; Yet on that day's uncertain date, Eternity depends. But equal to our being's aim, CARTER. E THE DROWNING FLY. IN yonder glass behold a drowning fly! Poor helpless victim !—and will no one save? Away it flies; resumes its harmless play; THE WHALE. SEE, the floundering bulky whale, Who shall dare his strength assail ; Fling the harpoon-then spouts the gore. Deep beneath his blubber skin Fast its hold the iron keeps; Pain'd he dives, and hopes to win Safety in his native deeps. Vain the hope, the purple tide, Open'd by the unerring dart, Gushes from his wounded side, Drains at length his fluttering heart. Struggling fainter, see he floats; Now they win the unwieldy prize; Fast around him ply the boats, 52 POETICAL Charlolle THE BEGGAR-MAN. AROUND the fire, one wintry night, And jokes went round and careless chat. When, hark! a gentle hand they hear, "Cold blows the blast across the moor: "My eyes are weak and dim with age; "So faint I am-these tottering feet And drifting snows my tomb prepare. "Open your hospitable door, And shield me from the biting blast, Cold, cold it blows across the moor, The weary moor that I have pass'd !” With hasty step the farmer ran, And close beside the fire they place The little children flocking came, A comfortable mess prepares. Their kindness cheer'd his drooping soul The children, too, began to sigh, And all their merry chat was o'er ; And yet they felt, they knew not why, More glad than they had done before. ; LUCY AIKIN. |