You cried-Forbear !—but in my breast 'Twas Nature, Sir, whose strong behest Yet, much as Nature I respect, I ventured once to break (As you, perhaps, may recollect) And when your linnet, on a day, Had fluttered all his strength away, Well knowing him a sacred thing, I only kiss'd his ruffled wing, Let my obedience then excuse My disobedience now, Nor some reproof yourself refuse From your aggrieved' Bow-wow; If killing birds be such a crime 3 behest, command. destined, intended for. 4 impelled, drove. 5 precept, order. 7 aggrieved, injured, pained. THE ADMIRAL'S GRAVE. HERE is in the lone, lone sea Down, down, beneath the deep That oft in triumph bore him, He sleeps a sound and peaceful sleep He sleeps!—he sleeps! serene, and safe The sea and him in death They did not dare to sever: It was his home when he had breath: 'Tis now his home for ever! Sleep on, sleep on, thou mighty dead! A glorious tomb they've found thee; The broad blue sky above thee spread: The boundless ocean round thee. 44 THE BLIND BOY. SAY what is that thing call'd Light, You talk of wondrous things you see; I feel him warm, but how can he My day or night myself I make And could I ever keep awake, With heavy sighs I often hear Then let not what I cannot have My cheer of mind destroy: Whilst thus I sing, I am a king, Although a poor blind boy. 1 or, for either. 2 hapless, unhappy. 45 THE LAMB. ITTLE Lamb who made thee? Making all the vales rejoice, Dost thou know who made thee? Little Lamb, I'll tell thee! Little Lamb, I'll tell thee. He is called by thy name, Little Lamb, God bless thee; 46 CASABIANCA.* A True Story. THE boy stood on the burning deck, Yet beautiful and bright he stood, A creature of heroic1 blood, The flames rolled on-he would not go He called aloud: "Say, father, say, He knew not that the chieftain2 lay "Speak, father!" once again he cried, * Casabianca was the son of the Admiral of the French fleet that fought the Battle of the Nile in 1798, with the British under Nelson. He and his father were on board the flagship "L'Orient," which caught fire and blew up. The Admiral (Brueyes) had, before that, been killed by a cannon shot. 1 heroic, noble, belonging to a hero. 3 unconscious, not aware. 2 chieftain, the commander. 4 booming, deep sounding. |