You've come, of course, to spend the day What! must you go?-next time I hope TRANSITION. Ode to My Infant Son. THOMAS HOOD. Thou happy, happy elf! (But stop-first let me kiss away that tear,) Thou tiny image of myself! (My love, he's poking peas into his ear!) Thou merry, laughing sprite! With spirits feather light, Untouched by sorrow, and unsoiled by sin (Dear me! the child is swallowing a pin!) Thou little, tricksy duck! With antic toys so funnily bestuck, Light as the singing bird that wings the air, (The door! the door! he'll tumble down the stair!) Thou darling of thy sire! (Why, Jane, he'll set his pinafore afire!) Thou imp of mirth and joy! In love's dear chain so strong and bright a link, Thou cherub-but of earth; Fit playfellow for fays by moonlight pale, In harmless sport and mirth, (That dog will bite him if he pulls his tail!) (He'll break the mirror with that skipping-rope!) Thou young domestic dove! (He'll have that jug off, with another shove!) Dear nursling of the hymeneal nest! (Are those torn clothes his best?) Little epitome of man! (He'll climb upon the table—that's his plan!) Touched with the beauteous tints of dawning life, (He's got a knife!) Thou enviable being! No storms, no clouds, in thy blue sky foreseeing, My elfin John! Toss the light ball-bestride the stick, (I knew so many cakes would make him sick!) (He's got the scissors, snipping at your gown!) (Go to your mother, child, and wipe your nose!) (I wish that window had an iron bar!) Bold as the hawk, yet gentle as the dove, (I'll tell you what, my love, I cannot write, unless he's sent above!) SELECTIONS CHOSEN FOR THEIR VALUE AS STUDIES IN VARIETY OF TONE AND AFFORDING EXERCISES IN TONING Bernardo del Carpio. FELICIA HEMANS. The warrior bowed his crested head, and tamed his heart of fire, And sued the haughty king to free his long-imprisoned sire; "I bring thee here my fortress-keys, I bring my captive train, I pledge thee faith, my liege, my lord !—Oh! break my father's chain !" "Rise, rise! even now thy father comes, a ransomed man this day: Mount thy good horse; and thou and I will meet him on his way." Then lightly rose that loyal son, and bounded on his steed, And urged, as if with lance in rest, the charger's foamy speed. And lo! from far, as on they pressed, there came a glittering band, With one that 'midst them stately rode, as a leader in the land: |