And, lo! my farther course cut off a river, All waters that on earth most limpid are, Ray of sun let in, nor of the moon. Translation of H. W. LONGFELLOW. DANTE ALIGHIERI, 1265-1821. NATURE TEACHING IMMORTALITY. Nature, thy daughter, ever-changing birth Of thee, the great Immutable, to man All change, no death. Day follows night, and night Droops into pallid autumn; winter gray, Horrid with frost, and turbulent with storm, Then melts into the spring; soft spring, with breath Recalls the first. All to re-flourish fades, As in a wheel all sinks to reascend; Emblems of man, who passes, not expires. That gravitates, this soars. Th' aspiring soul, No single atom, once in being lost, With change of counsel charges the Most High. Above the nobler shall less noble rise? Shall man alone, for whom all else revives, Now resurrection know! shall man alone, EDWARD YOUNG, 1681-1755 Hour. In the frolic view of men. Hour. Oh, 'tis sweet! Silvan. What's dancing. Hour. E'en the mirth of feet. Silvan. Joy you in fairies, or in elves But, Silvan, say, why do you love Silvan. Life is fullest of content When delight is innocent. Hour. Pleasure must vary, not be long; Come, then, let's close, and end the song. DR. THOMAS CAMPION 1607. TO CYNTHIA. Queen and huntress, chaste and fair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light, Earth, let not thy envious shade Heaven to clear when day did close; Bless us, then with wished sight, Lay thy bow of pearl apart, And thy crystal-shining quiver; Give unto the flying hart Space to breathe, how short soever; Goddess excellently bright! BEN JONSON 1574-1637. TO NIGHT. Mysterious Night! when our first parent knew Thee from report divine, and heard thy name, Did he not tremble for this lovely frame, This glorious canopy of light and blue? Yet 'neath the curtain of translucent dew, Bathed in the rays of the great setting flame, And lo! creation widened in man's view. Who could have thought such darkness lay concealed While fly, and leaf, and insect lay revealed, BLANCO WHITE. NIGHT. When I survey the bright Celestial sphere, So rich with jewels hung, that night My soul her wings doth spread, And heavenward flies The Almighty's mysteries to read In the large volume of the skies. For the bright firmament So silent, but is eloquent In speaking the Creator's name. No unregarded star Contracts its light Into so small character, Remov'd far from our human sight: But if we steadfast look, We shall discern In it, as in some holy book, How man may heavenly knowledge learn. It tells the conqueror That far-stretch'd power, Which his proud dangers traffic for, Is but the triumph of an hour. |