Shall I hear again those songs of praise,
Those sweet voices silent now for ever!
Peaceful days!

There I heard of Wisdom's pleasant ways.

"There my Mary blest me with her hand When our souls drank in the nuptial blessing

Ere she hastened to the spirit-land,

Yonder turf her gentle bosom pressing.
Broken band!

There my Mary blest me with her hand.

I have come to see that grave once more, And the sacred place where we delighted, Where we worshipped, in the days of yore, Ere the garden of my heart was blighted To the core

I have come to see that grave once more. “Angel," said he, sadly, "I am old;

Earthly hope no longer hath a morrow, Now why I sit here thou hast been told." In his eye another pearl of sorrow; Down it rolled.

"Angel," said he, sadly, "I am old."

But, when the warrior dieth,

His comrades of the war,

With arms reversed and muffled drums,
Follow the funeral car:

They show the banners taken;

They tell his battles won;

And after him lead his masterless steed,
While peals the minute-gun.

Amid the noblest of the land

Men lay the sage to rest,

And give the bard an honored place,

With costly marbles drest,

In the great minster transept
Where lights like glories fall,

And the sweet choir sings, and the organ

rings

Along the emblazoned hall.

This was the bravest warrior

That ever buckled sword;

This the most gifted poet

That ever breathed a word; And never earth's philosopher

Traced with his golden pen

On the deathless page truths half so sage As he wrote down for men.

I call not happier than the swain
Whose limbs are sound, whose food is plain,
Whose joys a blooming wife endears,
Whose hours a smiling offspring cheers.

THALES.

Thales was born about B. c. 640, in Miletus, in Ionia. He developed from youth a love of philosophy, and would not marry, that he might devote himself to the study of natural philosophy and mathematics, and is said to have predicted an eclipse. He died at the age of ninety. The following are some of

his

MORAL MAXIMS.

Health of body, a competent fortune and a cultivated mind are the chief sources of happiness.

Parents may expect from their children that obedience which they themselves paid to their parents.

Take more pains to correct the blemishes of the mind than those of the face. Stop the mouth of slander by prudence. Be careful not to do that yourself which you blame in another.

PITTACUS.

Pittacus was born at Mitylene, in the island of Lesbos, about 650 B. C. In conjunction with the brother of Alcæus the poet, about 612 B. C., he overthrew the tyrant Melanchrus and put him to death. In a contest between his people and the Athenians for the possession of Sigeum, in the Troad, he displayed great bravery. For his prowess his townsmen gave his townsmen gave him a portion of the city territory, which he dedicated to sacred uses, and which was known long after as the Pitacean land. He was chosen dic

tator B. C. 589, and ruled with great success for ten years, after which he voluntarily resigned his power and withdrew into honorable retirement. During the time of his government he made a law against drunkenness which provided for a double punishment for any crime committed under intoxication.

PRECEPTS.

The first office of prudence is to foresee threatening misfortunes and prevent them. Power discovers the man.

Never talk of your schemes before they are executed, lest, if you fail to accomplish them, you be exposed to the double mortification of disappointment and ridicule.

Whatever you do, do it well.
Know the fitting moment.
Be watchful for opportunities.

It is his misfortune to be eminent.

BIAS.

Bias was born at Priene, in Ionia, and flourished about B. c. 570. He was generally employed as a political and legal adviser in difficult questions. When the people of Priene were making preparations to escape from their city, which was besieged by the generals of Cyrus, Bias, in reply to one who asked why he was not occupied like other citizens, employed the words which have become a proverb: "I carry all my goods with me." The following are some of his

TEACHINGS.

It is a proof of a weak and disordered. mind to desire impossibilities.

The most pleasant state is to be always gaining.

Be not unmindful of the miseries of others. If you are handsome, do handsome things; if deformed, supply the defects of nature by your virtues.

Be slow in undertaking, but resolute in executing.

Praise not a worthless man for the sake of his wealth.

Lay in wisdom as the store for your journey from youth to old age, for it is the most certain possession.

CHILON.

Chilon flourished about B. c. 556, and was one of the ephori of Sparta. He discharged his public duties with great uprightness, and lived to a great old age. The following are some of his

PRECEPTS.

Never ridicule the unfortunate.

Three things are difficult-to keep a secret, to bear an injury patiently and to spend leisure well.

Think before you speak.

than in prosperity. Visit your friends in misfortune rather

Do not desire impossibilities.

Gold is tried by the touchstone, and men are tried by gold.

Reverence the aged.

Honest loss is preferable to shameful gain, for by the one a man is a sufferer but once; by the other, always.

Know thyself.

endure misfortunes patiently.

Great minds alone can support a sudden reverse of fortune.

CLEOBULUS.

Cleobulus of Lindus, in Rhodes, about