XIV. ILLUSTRATED BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS. DISCOURSE was deemed Man's noblest attribute, 1846. XV. TO THE SPADE OF A FRIEND. (AN AGRICULTURIST.) Composed while we were laboring together in his pleasureground. SPADE! with which Wilkinson hath tilled his lands, And shaped these pleasant walks by Emont's side, Thou art a tool of honor in my hands; I press thee, through the yielding soil, with pride. Rare master has it been thy lot to know; Long hast Thou served a man to reason true, Whose life combines the best of high and low, The laboring many and the resting few ; Health, meekness, ardor, quietness secure, Here often hast thou heard the Poet sing Who shall inherit thee when death has laid Low in the darksome cell thine own dear lord? That man will have a trophy, humble Spade! A trophy nobler than a conqueror's sword. If he be one that feels, with skill to part He will not dread with thee a toilsome day, Thee, his loved servant, his inspiring mate! And when thou art past service, worn away, His thrift thy uselessness will never scorn; 1804. XVI. A NIGHT THOUGHT. Lo! where the Moon along the sky Oft is she hid from mortal eye, Or dimly seen, But when the clouds asunder fly, Far different we, a froward race; Thousands, though rich in Fortune's grace, Their way pursue, If kindred humors e'er would make From Fancy following in thy wake, A counter impulse let me take, XVII. INCIDENT CHARACTERISTIC OF A FAVORITE DOG. On his morning rounds, the Master He hath comrades in his walk; Four dogs, each pair of different breed, Distinguished two for scent, and two for speed. See a hare before him started! Deep the river was, and crusted Breaks-and the greyhound, DART, is overhead! Better fate have PRINCE and Swallow, MUSIC has no heart to follow, Little MUSIC, she stops short. A loving creature she, and brave, And fondly strives her struggling friend to save. From the brink her paws she stretches, Very hands as you would say ! And afflicting moans she fetches, As he breaks the ice away. Him alone she sees and hears, · Makes efforts with complainings; nor gives o'er, Until her fellow sinks to reappear no more. 1805. |