John G. Saxe (1816-1887) was an American poet. He was born in Vermont and graduated from Middlebury College. He became editor of the "Burlington Sentinel.'' His poems are very popular.

It was a noble Roman,

In Rome's imperial day,
Who heard a coward croaker,

Before the castle, say,

"They're safe in such a fortress;

There is no way to shake it!" "On! ON!" exclaimed the hero, "I'll find a way, or make it!"

2

Is Fame your aspiration?
Her path is steep and high;
In vain you seek her temple,
Content to gaze and sigh:
The shining throne is waiting,
But he alone can take it,
Who says, with Roman firmness,
"I'll find a way, or make it!"

3

Is Learning your ambition?
There is no royal road;
Alike the peer and peasant

Must climb to her abode;
Who feels the thirst for knowledge
In Helicon may slake it,

If he has still the Roman will.

To "find a way, or make it!"

4

Are Riches worth the getting?
They must be bravely sought;
With wishing and with fretting,
The boon can not be bought;

To all the prize is open,

But only he can take it,

Who says, with Roman courage,

"I'LL FIND A WAY, OR MAKE IT!"

Alexander Smart was a Scotch poet. His writings deal with domes. tic life and labor. "Better than Gold' is one of his choice poems.

Better than grandeur, better than gold,
Than rank and titles, a thousand fold,

Is a healthy body, a mind at ease,

And simple pleasures that always please ;-
A heart that can feel for another's woe,
And share his joys with a genial glow,
With sympathies large enough to infold
All men as brothers, is better than gold.

2

Better than gold is a conscience clear,

Though toiling for bread in a humble sphere;
Doubly blessed with content and health,
Untried by the lusts or cares of wealth;
Lowly living and lofty thought
Adorn and ennoble a poor man's cot;
For mind and morals, in Nature's plan,
Are the genuine test of a gentleman.

3

Better than gold is the sweet repose
Of the sons of toil when their labors close;
Better than gold is a poor man's sleep,
And the balm that drops on his slumber deep.
Bring sleeping draughts to the downy bed.
Where Luxury pillows his aching head;
His simple opiate labor deems

A shorter road to the land of dreams.

4

Better than gold is a thinking mind,
That, in the realm of books, can find
A treasure surpassing Australian ore,
And live with the great and good of yore.
The sage's lore, and the poet's lay,
The glories of empires passed away,

The world's great drama, will thus unfold,
And yield a pleasure better than gold.

5

Better than gold is a peaceful home,
Where all the fireside charities come,-
The shrine of love, the heaven of life,
Hallowed by mother, or sister, or wife.
However humble the home may be,

Or tried with sorrow by Heaven's decree,
The blessings that never were bought or sold,
And center there, are better than gold.