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Our hemisphere is polished clean,
And lightened more and more;
While everything is clearly seen,
Which seemèd dim before:

Except the glistering astres bright,
Which all the night were clear,
Offusked with a greater light
No longer do appear.

The golden globe incontinent

Sets up his shining head,

And o'er the earth and firmament

Displays his beams abread.

For joy the birds with boulden throats

Against his visage sheen

Take up their kindly music notes

In woods and gardens green.

The dew upon the tender crops,
Like pearls white and round,
Or like to melted silver drops,
Refreshes all the ground.

The misty reek, the clouds of rain
From tops of mountains skails,

Clear are the highest hills and plain,
The vapours take the vales.

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The ample heaven, of fabric sure,

In cleanness does surpass

The crystal and the silver pure,

Or clearest polished glass.

The time so tranquil is and still,

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That no where shall ye find,
Save on a high and barren hill,
An air of peeping wind.

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The flourishes and fragrant flowers,
Through Phoebus' fostering heat,

Refreshed with dew and silver showers,
Cast up an odour sweet.

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That man and beast now seek a place
To save them from the heat.

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The herds beneath some leafy tree,
Amidst the flowers they lie;

The stable ships upon the sea

Tend up their sails to dry.

With gilded eyes and open wings,
The cock his courage shows ;

With claps of joy his breast he dings,
And twenty times he crows.

The dove with whistling wings so blue

The winds can fast collect,

Her purple pens turn many a hue
Against the sun direct.

Now noon is went; gone is midday,

The heat does slake at last,

The sun descends down west away,
For three of clock is past.

The rayons of the sun we see
Diminish in their strength,

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Our west horizon circular,

From time the sun be set,

Is all with rubies, as it were,

Or roses red o'erfret.

What pleasure were to walk and see,

Endlong a river clear,

The perfect form of every tree

Within the deep appear.

Oh then it were a seemly thing,

While all is still and calm,

The praise of God to play and sing
With cornet and with shalm!

All labourers draw home at even,

And can to other say,

Thanks to the gracious God of heaven,
Which sent this summer day.

Alexander Hume.

X

A VOW TO LOVE FAITHFULLY, HOWSOEVER
HE BE REWARDED.

Set me whereas the sun doth parch the green,
Or where his beams do not dissolve the ice;
In temperate heat where he is felt and seen;
In presence prest of people, mad or wise;
Set me in high, or yet in low degree;
In longest night, or in the shortest day;
In clearest sky, or where clouds thickest be;
In lusty youth, or when my hairs are gray:
Set me in heaven, in earth, or else in hell,
In hill or dale, or in the foaming flood;

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Thrall, or at large, alive whereso I dwell,
Sick or in health, in evil fame or good,
Hers will I be; and only with this thought
Content myself, although my chance be nought.
Earl of Surrey.

ΧΙ

AN APPEAL.

Forget not yet the tried intent
Of such a truth as I have meant;
My great travail so gladly spent

Forget not yet!

Forget not yet when first began
The weary life ye know, since whan
The suit, the service none tell can;
Forget not yet!

Forget not yet the great assays,
The cruel wrong, the scornful ways;
The painful patience in delays,

Forget not yet!

Forget not! oh! forget not this,
How long ago hath been, and is
The mind that never meant amiss-
Forget not yet!

Forget not then thine own approved,
The which so long hath thee so loved,
Whose steadfast faith yet never moved-
Forget not this!

Sir Thomas Wyat.

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