In Reason's ear they all rejoice, JOSEPH ADDISON. * 78 * BUGLE SONG. THE splendor falls on castle walls, Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying: Oh hark! oh hear! how thin and clear, The horns of Elfland 2 faintly blowing! Blow, let us hear the purple glens replying: O Love, they die in yon rich sky, They faint on hill, or field, or river: Our echoes roll from soul to soul, And grow forever and forever: Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying, And answer, echoes, answer, dying, dying, dying. ALFRED TENNYSON. 1 scar, a bare and broken place on the side of a mountain. 2 Elfland, fairy-land. * 79 * ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH. HIGHER, higher, will we climb That our names may live through time Happy, when her welfare calls, Deeper, deeper, let us toil In the mines of knowledge, Nature's wealth and Learning's spoil Win from school and college; Delve we there for richer gems Than the stars of diadems. Onward, onward, may we press Excellence true beauty: Minds are of celestial birth, Make we, then, a heaven of earth. Closer, closer, let us knit Hearts and hands together, Where our fireside comforts sit Oh, they wander wide who roam For the joys of life from home. JAMES MONTGOMERY. * 80 * GEORGE NIDIVER. MEN have done brave deeds, And bards have sung them well: I of George Nid'iver Now the tale will tell. In Californian mountains, A little Indian boy Followed him everywhere, Eager to share the hunter's joy, The hunter's meal to share : And when the bird or deer Fell by the hunter's skill, The boy was always near To help with right good-will. One day as through the cleft Shut in both right and left, They see two grizzly bears, Right down the narrow dell. The boy turned round with screams, The hunter raised his gun, He knew one charge was all, And through the boy's pursuing foe He sent his only ball. The other bear, now furious, Came on with dreadful pace; The hunter stood unarmed, I say unarmed he stood: Against those frightful paws, For rifle butt or club of wood, Could stand no more than straws. George Nidiver stood still, And looked him in the face; The wild beast stopped amazed, Then came with slackening pace. Still firm the hunter stood, Although his heart beat high; Again the creature stopped, And gazed with wondering eye. The hunter met his gaze, The bear turned slowly round What thoughts were in his mind. Be sure that rifle's aim, Swift choice of generous part, Showed, in its passing gleam, The depths of a brave heart. * 81 * RALPH WALDO EMERSON. HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE! How sleep the Brave who sink to rest By fairy hands their knell is rung; W. COLLINS. 1 spell, relate - an old use of the word. |