4. Who only asks for humblest wealth', [This is a poem on the dignity, nobility, philosophy, and independence of labor. Why is it both lyric and didactic? (See p. ix.) What are some of the emotions expressed in it? Wherein are indignation and denunciation expressed? Lively joy and exultation? What principles relative to labor? The poem is of uniform measure-eight syllables to each line, excepting the four short lines in each verse. But each of these has four syllables; and each of these couplets may therefore be considered as forming one line, when adapted to music. The piece is suitable for declamation.] LESSON XLIX. THE SAYINGS OF POOR RICHARD. Adapted.-FRANKLIN. 1. WOULD it not be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service'? But Idleness taxes many of us much more; and Sloth, by bringing on disease, absolutely shortens life. 2. "Sloth, like rust," says the proverb, "consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright." And again, the proverb asks, "Dost thou love life'? Then do not squandera time, for that is the stuff life is made of." How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep! forgetting that "the sleeping fox catches no poultry," and that "there will be sleeping enough in the grave." 3. If time be of all things the most precious, "wasting time must be," as has been well said, "the greatest prodi gality;" since, as we are again told, "Lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough." Let us, then, up and be doing, and be doing to the purpose; so, by diligence, shall we do more. with less perplexity.d 4. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry makes every thing easy. It is an old saying, that "he that riseth late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night;" and again, "Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him." "Drive thy business; let not thy business drive thee." 5. So what is the use of wishing and hoping for better times'? We may make the times better, if we bestir ourselves. As has been said, "The industrious man will not stand still to wish; and he that lives upon hope alone, will always be fasting. There are no gains without pains." Then let the poor man say, "Help, hands, for I have no lands." But let me tell him, "He that hath a trade, hath an estate; and he that hath a calling,' hath an office of profit and honor." 6. But, then, the trade must be worked at, and the calling well followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious, we shall never starve. It has been well said, "At the working-man's house, hunger looks in, but dares not enter; for Industry pays debts, while Despair increaseth them." 7. What! Though you have found no treasure, and though no rich relation has left you a legacy, is not Diligence the mother of good luck? Ay. God gives all things to industry. Then "plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep." Work while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you inay be hindered to-morrow; and, farther, "never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day." 8. If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle'? But are you not your own master'? You should be ashamed, then, to catch yourself idle, where there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, and your country. 9. Handle your tools without mittens: remember that "the cat in gloves catches no mice." It is true there is much to be done, and, perhaps, you have none to help you; but work steadily, and you will see great effects; for "a constant dropping wears away stones;" and "by diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable." a SQUAN'-DER (skwon'-der), waste. b PROD-I-GAL'-I-TY, wastefulness; extrava gance. DIL'-I-GENCE, industry. d PER-PLEX'-I-TY, trouble; annoyance. [Why is this lesson of the didactic kind? (See p. ix.) Mention some of the rules and principies of conduct here laid down. What is a proverb? (A proverb is a familiar saying, embodying some rule of moral, or, more properly, of prudential conduct.) What do the proverbs in this lesson chiefly embrace-rules relating to morals', or those relating to prudence? (Show the pupils the difference between the two kinds: thus, "We are bound to be honest, not to be rich," is a moral precept: "Make hay while the sun shines," is a prudential maxim. Although proverbs were once considered the ornaments of writing and of conversation, the prevailing taste is now opposed to their frequent use.)]. LESSON L. THE LABORERS. 1. You can not pay with money The sailor on the ocean, The peasant on the soil, 2. You gaze on the cathedrala Whose turrets meet the sky: That in earth and darkness lie: 3. The workshop must be crowded, If the ploughman did not plough', 4. See, light darts down from heaven, Are cheered with one bright day. As the waters fill the sea. 5. The man who turns the soil On each worthy labor done, 6. What cheers the musinge student'? The thought that, for his followers, Let every human laborer Enjoy the vision bright— Let the thought that comes from heaven 7. Ye men who hold the pen, Rise like a band inspired ;f And, poets, let your lyrics Each happy in his part. From the German. [1. Money can not pay for all that labor does. 2. As we gaze on the turrets of the cathedral, we should remember that its foundations are laid deep in the earth. 3. All kinds of labor are parts of one great plan, and all should be deemed sacred. 4. As the sun shines for all, so should the light of knowledge be free to all. 5. The dignity of labor. Mind can ennoble every worthy labor. 6. What cheers the student, the poet, etc.? Let thought be spread like light. 7. The call to writers, poets, etc. What result is looked for? What figures of speech can be pointed out in the 2d verse? What simile in the 5th verse?] 2. Such he was, at least, until sickness laid its heavy hand on him. Then, indeed, after days of burning, wast |