"The next with dirges due in sad array

Slow through the church-way path we saw him borne. Approach and read (for thou canst read) the lay Graved on the stone beneath yon aged thorn."

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THE EPITAPH

5 Here rests his head upon the lap of Earth
A Youth to Fortune and to Fame unknown.
Fair Science frowned not on his humble birth
And Melancholy marked him for her own.

Large was his bounty, and his soul sincere;
Heav'n did a recompense as largely send:

He gave to Mis'ry all he had, a tear,

He gained from Heav'n ('twas all he wished) a friend.

No farther seek his merits to disclose,

Or draw his frailties from their dread abode, 15 (There they alike in trembling hope repose,) The bosom of his Father and his God.

cur'few from two French words, meaning "to cover the fire." The ringing of an evening bell was instituted by William the Conqueror as a signal that it was time to put out the lights and go to rest.—awaits: this is often printed await, but the subject is hour, and awaits is therefore correct. Hampden: a great English statesman. Cromwell: Oliver Cromwell, lord protector of the English commonwealth.

READINGS FROM THE BIBLE

NOTE. The book of Job is one of the great glories of literature. It is a poem which tells of Job's piety and patience under many sufferings, his doubts and despair, and finally, his recognition of God's power and knowledge. These lines are taken from the closing passages of the book.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, 5 and said,

Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

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Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or 15 who laid the corner stone thereof;

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth? And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: 20 and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place?

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

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Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for 5 darkness, where is the place thereof?

Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?

10 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on 15 the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

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To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory 25 of his nostrils is terrible.

He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength : he goeth on to meet the armed men.

He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear

and the shield.

He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: 5 neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

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Canst thou put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw 20 through with a thorn?

Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?

Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?

Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

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None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.

5 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.

When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid. The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold : the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee: sling stones are turned with him into stubble.

Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.

15 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.

Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all 20 the children of pride.

Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

levi'athan it is unknown just what monster of the deep is meant. Some writers explain it as the crocodile. - covenant agreement. — haber'geon: a coat of mail. - hoary: white or silvery gray.