Till broad and fierce the star came forth on * Ely's stately fane, And town and hamlet rose in arms o'er all the Till Belvoir's* lordly terraces the sign to Lin- And Lincoln sped the message on o'er the wide Till Skiddaw saw the fire that burnt on And the red glare on Skiddaw roused the bur- 70 PARADISE AND THE PERI.-Moore. THOMAS MOORE (1779-1852), the most popular of Irish poets, was born in Dublin. Chief poems: Lalla Rookh (Tulip-Cheek), a brilliant series of Oriental tales, published in 1817. It became very popular from its rich colouring and Oriental spirit. The Irish Melodies, which are remarkable for their beauty and simplicity. Moore also wrote the Life of Byron. Of life within, like music flowing, race Mid flowers that never shall fade or fall! * One blossom of heaven outblooms them all! And sweetly the founts of that valley fall- How the waters of heaven outshine them all! As the universe spreads its flaming wall : 5 10 15 20 25 Take all the pleasures 35 From Eden's fountain, when it lies On the blue flower,* which, Bramins * say, Blooms nowhere but in Paradise. "Nymph of a fair but erring * line," Gently he said,-"One hope is thine: 'Tis written in the Book of Fate, The Peri yet may be forgiven 40 Who brings to this Eternal Gate 45 * The Gift that is most dear to Heaven. The beautiful blue damsel-flies From his hot steed, and on the brink 60 Of a small imaret's* rustic fount 65 Impatient fling him down to drink. Like thunder-clouds, of gloom and fire; * All the pleasure, &c., one moment's happiness in heaven is worth an eternity of earthly pleasures. Blue flower, the Bramins believe that the blue Campac flowers only in Paradise. Bramin, an Indian priest. Nymph, a fabled female being inhabiting the earth and the waters. Erring, going wrong. Redeem, to make atonement for. Balbec, a ruined city of Syria, north of Damascus, in the valley of the Lebanon, Damsel flies, aspecies of beautiful insects whose graceful and elegant appearance has procured for them the name of Damsels. Imaret, a place where pilgrims are lodged and nourished for three days without charge. Haggard, careworn. Upon a brow, &c., his countenance showed that he had led a very wicked life. Ruthless, cruel, with. out pity. Shrine, an altar, or a sacred place. Eblis, Lucifer. With blood of guests.* There written, all * From Syria's thousand minarets.* Kneels, with his forehead to the south, From purity's own cherub mouth, * Oh! 'twas a sight-that heaven, that child— Memory ran, &c., looking back upon his past life, he could not recollect having done one good action since the days of his child hood. may be. I looked and prayed like thee; but now". 120 Blest tears of soul-felt penitence! Of guiltless joy that guilt can know. Benign, kindly, favourable. "There's a drop,"* said the Peri, "that down There's a drop, the from the moon Falls through the withering airs of June 130 The precious tears of repentance fall? One heavenly drop hath dispelled them all." 135 While the same sunbeam shines upon miraculous drop, supposed to falls in Egypt precisely on St. John's day in June is thought to have the effect of stopping the plague. Contagion, a catching sickness, a plague. Reanimates, to give back life. Though foul, &c., the soul of even the greatest sinner may be purified by a sincere repentance. And hymns of joy * proclaim through heaven Hymns of joy, &c., The triumph of a soul forgiven. 'Twas when the golden orb* had set, 140 While on their knees they lingered yet, * Joy, joy for ever! My task is done- THANATOPSIS.-W. C. Bryant. the angels rejoice Northern flash, Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. Meteor, a fiery body passing quickly through the atmosphere. Harbinger, messenger. WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT (1794- ), one of the most eminent poets of America, was born in Massachusetts. His poems are noted for their national spirit, tenderness, grace, and beauty of description. Chief works: Thanatopsis; or, Thoughts on Death, and The Ages, a survey of the experience of mankind. To him who in the love of nature holds speaks * Communion, to hold intercourse, fellowship. Visible, that which may be seen. Various, unlike each other. different, A various language; for his gayer hours Musings, moments of sion. Last bitter hour, the time of death. Blight, to wither up, decay. When Of the last bitter hour * 5 * ΙΟ to cause a thing to Of the stern agony, and shroud, and pall, Narrow house, the grave. Make thee to shudder, and grow sick at heart— To Nature's teachings, while from all around- 15 Thy image. Earth, that nourished thee, shall Thy growth, to be resolved* to earth again To mix for ever with the elements Turns with his share,* and treads upon. The oak 20 25 Shall send his roots abroad, and pierce thy 30 mould. Yet not to thine eternal resting-place Shalt thou retire alone-nor couldst thou Couch * more magnificent.* Thou shalt lie With patriarchs of the infant world *—with The powerful of the earth-the wise, the 35 Fair forms, and hoary seers,* of ages past, |