THE bird that soars on highest wing, When Mary chose the "better part," And Lydia's gently-open'd heart Was made for God's own temple meet; -Fairest and best adorn'd is she Whose clothing is humility. The saint that wears heaven's brightest crown, The weight of glory bows him down, 1. What song-bird soars highest? 6. What is meant by the "better part?" 7. In what should we imitate Mary? 8. Under whose preaching did the Lord open Lydia's heart? 9. Who, does the poet say, bends lowest in presence of his God? COMMON THINGS. THE SUN is a glorious thing, That comes alike to all, Lighting the peasant's lonely cot, MRS. HAWKSHAWE. The moonlight is a gentle thing, It shines upon the fisher's boat, Or where the little lambkins lie, The dew-drops on the summer morn, The village children brush them off, There are no gems in monarch's crowns, And yet we scarcely notice them, Poor Robin on the pear-tree sings, Beside the cottage door; The heath-flower fills the air with sweets, Upon the pathless moor. There are as many lovely things, As many pleasant tones, For those who sit by cottage-hearths THE DYING BOY. I KNEW a boy, whose infant feet had trod And sought his chamber, to lie down and die! "Twas night-he summoned his accustomed friends, And, on this wise, bestowed his last bequest: "Mother! I'm dying now There is deep suffocation in my breast, "I feel the cold sweat stand; My lips grow dry and tremulous, and my breath "Here-lay it on my wrist, And place the other thus, beneath my head, "Never beside your knee Shall I kneel down again at night to pray, "Oh, at the time of prayer, When you look round and see a vacant seat, "Father! I'm going home! To the good home you speak of, that blest land "I must be happy then, From pain and death you say I shall be free- "Brother!-the little spot I used to call my garden, where long hours "Plant there some box or pineSomething that lives in winter, and will be A verdant offering to my memory, "Sister! my young rose tree- That all the spring has been my pleasant care, "And when its roses bloom, I shall be gone away-my short life done! "Now, mother! sing the tune You sang last night-I'm weary and must sleep! Morning spread over earth her rosy wings- "And many a message have I brought Long for John Goodman's have I sought, "Oh! does he live!" my father cried; Who throbb'd as if her would break. My mother saw her catching sigh, "He lives indeed! this kerchief see, To show he still escapes the grave." An arrow, darting from a bow, Could not more quick the token reach; The patch from off my face I drew, And gave my voice its well-known speech. "My Jessy dear!" I softly said, My father danced around his son, "Hout, woman!" cried my father dear, Nay, may be, lass, escape the grave!" 1. Was the soldier expected home? 2. What time in the day did he reach his native cot? 3. How were his father and mother and the rest of the family engaged? 4. Name the friend to whom Jean was whispering. 5. What might the effects of his sudden entrance have been? 6. How did he manage to avoid giving them too great a surprise? 7. Who only recognised him at once? 8. How did Tray show that he knew him? 9. What word engaged their loves at once, and why? 10. Of whom did the old man speak? 11. What reply did the soldier make? 12. Who is Hal, and what is the full name? 13. Can you tell me what the father's name was? 14. What effect was produced by the information that Harry was alive? 15. What is meant by the rock, in verse 13th? 16. Who knew the kerchief well, and why did she know it so well? 17. Who fainted, and how did the father act? 18. How did the brothers act, and what did the mother say? 19. What is meant by glass, in verse 17th? |