EMULATION.

Ir thy soul thirsteth for honour, if thy ear hath any pleasure in the voice of praise, raise thyself from the dust, whereof thou art made, and exalt thy aim to something that is praiseworthy. The oak, that now spreadeth its branches towards the heavens, was once but an acorn, in the bowels of the earth.

Endeavour to be first in thy calling, whatever it be; neither let any one go before thee in well-doing: nevertheless, do not envy the merits of another, but improve thine own talents. Scorn also to depress thy competitor, by dishonest or unworthy methods; strive to raise thyself above him only by excelling him; so shall thy contest for superiority be crowned with honour, if not with success.

THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

THE noon was shady, and soft airs
Swept Ouse's silent tide,

When 'scaped from literary cares,

I wandered on his side.

My Spaniel, prettiest of his race,
And high in pedigree,

(Two nymphs adorned with every grace
That Spaniel found for me,)

Now wantoned, lost in flags and reeds,
Now starting into sight,

Pursued the swallow o'er the meads,
With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Ouse displayed
His lilies newly born;

Their beauties I intent surveyed,
And one I wished my own.

With cane extended far, I sought

To steer it close to land;

But still the prize, though nearly caught,
Escaped my eager hand.

THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

Beau marked my unsuccessful pains,
With fixed considerate face,
And, puzzling, set his puppy brains,
To comprehend the case.

But, with a chirrup clear and strong,
Dispersing all his dream,

I thence withdrew, and followed long,
The windings of the stream.

My ramble finished, I returned;
Beau, trotting far before,

The floating wreath again discerned,
And plunging, left the shore.

I saw him with that Lily cropped,
Impatient swim to meet

My quick approach, and soon he dropped
The treasure at my feet.

Charmed with the sight, "The world," I cried,

"Shall hear of this, thy deed;

My Dog shall mortify the pride
Of man's superior breed:

"But chief myself I will enjoin,
Awake at duty's call,

To show a love as prompt as thine,

To Him who gives me all.-Cowper.

269

THE BULL AND THE MOUSE.

A MOUSE bit a noble Bull by the foot, and then slunk back into her hole. The Bull looked about him, but saw no enemy, although the annoyance was repeated over and over again. At length he got into a violent rage, tossed his head in the air, and tore up the ground, in very fierceWhen in the height of his fury, the Mouse popped her little head out of her hole, and laughed at him. "What a pretty specimen of dignity, are you," said the little irri

ness.

tating creature, "when it is to me but a mere matter of sport, to enrage you to the very verge of madness."

There are, in our progress through life, a thousand irritating and annoying circumstances, of almost daily occurrence, which, if not treated with the contempt due to their insignificance, may become matters of serious import. Hence, among other reasons, the necessity and the value of a command of temper, and of a proper exercise of our judgment.

THE PALACE OF DEATH.

I SAW a PALACE, wide and fair,
And multitudes assembled there:
'Twas open all the day, but shone
More gaily as the night came on.
A massive Lamp, of curious mould,
Displayed the front of white and gold,
Whereon, with face of dazzling light,
A Clock declared the time of night.
The doors unfolding, I begin

To note the busy scene within.
The spacious Presence-room was graced
With columns in Corinthian taste;
Bright rays, from many lustres, fall
Full on the veined and marbled wall,
Which might with Scagliola vie,
Or hard and polished Porphyry,
Whilst thickly-corniced ceilings lent
Their aid of grace and ornament.

Yet, contrast strange to gaudy pride!
Huge, uncouth butts, ranged side by side,
Inscribed with some delusive name,
A desolating use proclaim!

But, stranger still, the crowds that prest,
Each like a free and welcome guest,
To seize the cup, and drink it dry,
Which painted menials quickly ply.

THE PALACE OF DEATH.

How shall I draw the motley band?
The sunken cheek, the palsied hand;
The tattered coat, the squalid face;
The draggled train, the skulking pace :-
"How ill," said I, "such sights agree
With glare, and cost, and finery!
And yet, for all the grand display,
This miserable group must pay;"
And more than pay: for he who reign'd
In this proud palace, basely drain'd
Their hard-got means; then oft withdrew
Their reason and existence too!

"And who is he, that horrid king,
That gloats on human suffering;
Unfolds his wide, attractive door,
And seeks his victims from the poor;
Wears, for their hurt, a winning face;
Then flourishes in their disgrace ?"

Sorrowing I spoke :-the crowds were gone;
When in a deep and rattling tone,
"Lo! it is I! 'tis DEATH!" replied
A grisly Spectre at my side:

66

Intemperate creatures hither come,
And leave the pure delights of home;
Leave faithful wives disquieted,

And children pinch'd for want of bread,
To lay their tribute at my shrine,
And make the week's resources mine;
Till, like the sons of heathen sires,
Who passed to Moloch through the fires,
Racked with an inward, craving strife,
They yield their senses and their life!
War, earthquake, famine, fire, the sea,
Are several paths that lead to me;
But, lord of yonder poisonous stream,
I reign triumphantly supreme:
To loss of soul and frame's decay,
THIS is the broad, the beaten way!"

270

M.

TEMPERANCE.

ONE of the nearest approaches thou canst make to happiness, is to enjoy from Heaven, health, wisdom, and peace of mind. If thou wouldest preserve these blessings to old age, avoid the allurements of intemperance, and fly from her temptations. When the wine sparkleth in the cup, then is the hour of danger,-then let reason stand firmly on her guard.

The joy which Intemperance promiseth, changeth to madness; and leads on to diseases and death. Look round her board, and observe those who have listened to her temptations:-are they not meagre? are they not sickly? are they not spiritless? Their short hours of jollity and riot are followed by tedious days of pain and dejection: she hath debauched and palled their appetites, so that they have now no relish for the choicest dainties: her votaries are become her victims:-the just and natural consequence which God hath ordained for the punishment of those who abuse his gifts.