As threatening, in their angry play, But none the kindling eye could brook For in that wrathful glance they see Canute! thy regal race is run; Its meek, unperishing renown, The Persian, in his mighty pride,1 But it was worthier far of thee 1. Of what countries was Canute king? 2. How great did his flatterers say his power was? 3. To what verb is they, in verse 4th the nominative? 4. When seated on the shore, what command did the monarch give the sea? 5. What effect did it produce? 6. Who are meant by the word all, in verse 5th? 7. What mightier monarch is meant? 8. When did Canute flourish? 9 What keeps his name still alive i our minds? 10. Relate the historical fact referred to in the last verse. ABOU BEN ADHEM AND THE ANGEL. LEIGH HUNT. 1 John iii. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ABOU BEN ADHEM (may his tribe increase), "What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head, Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." 1 Xerxes king of Persia was the son and successor of Darius. He raised an immense army of nearly three millions of men, it is said, to subdue Greece, caused a bridge of boats to be built over the Hellespont, and in his folly had the sea flogged for breaking the bridge to pieces. This great army was completely scattered, and the fleet also destroyed by the bravery of the Greeks, and Xerxes himself was assassinated by Artaba'nus the captain of his guard. Xerxes is called in scripture Ahasuerus. "And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," "I pray thee, then The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night And showed the names whom love of God had blessed, STUDY OF THE WORKS OF NATURE. THOMSON. O NATURE! all-sufficient! over all! A search, the flight of time can ne'er exhaust! 1. What is meant by Nature here? 3. What would the poet like to learn about these worlds? 4. Name the kingdoms of nature in their order, beginning with the lowest. 5. Where are the strata or beds of minrals found? 6. Whence is the vegetable world thrust? 7. What system of works stands above the vegetable kingdom? 8. What is the grandest work of creation here below? 9. What perfections of God may we learn from the material world? 10. Ah! but where do we learn that He is a God of mercy and justice combined? NAPOLEON AND THE BRITISH SAILOR. I LOVE Contemplating-apart From all his homicidal glory The traits that soften to our heart Napoleon's story. CAMPBELL. 'Twas when his banners at Boulogne, They suffered him, I know not how, His eye, methinks, pursued the flight A stormy midnight watch, he thought, To England nearer. At last when care had banished sleep, He hid it in a cave, and wrought By mighty working. Oh dear me! 'twas a thing beyond For ploughing in the salt sea field, From neighbouring woods he interlaced His sorry skiff with wattled willows; And thus equipped he would have passed The foaming billows. A French guard caught him on the beach, Till tidings of him chanced to reach With folded arms Napoleon stood, Addressed the stranger. "Rash youth, that wouldst yon channel pass "I have no sweetheart," said the lad; ONE MORNING (raw it was and wet, A foggy day in winter time), A woman on the road I met, Not old, though something past her prime; And like a Roman matron's was her mien and gait. The ancient spirit is not dead, Old times, thought I, are breathing there ; Such strength, a dignity so fair: She begged an alms, like one in poor estate, When from these lofty thoughts I woke, Protected from this cold damp air?" And, thus continuing, she said, In Denmark he was cast away: And I have travelled weary miles to see If aught which he had owned might still remain for me. The bird and cage they both were his: 'Twas my son's bird; and neat and trim This singing-bird had gone with him; When last he sailed, he left the bird behind; From bodings, as might be, that hung upon his mind. He to a fellow lodger's care Had left it to be watched and fed, And now, God help me for my little wit! I bear it with me, Sir;-he took so much delight in it.” "TIS PLEASANT by the cheerful hearth to hear |