For there's nae luck about the house, There's little pleasure in the house When our gudeman's awa'. W. J. Mickle * 22 * A SEA DIRGE FULL fathom five thy father lies: But doth suffer a sea-change Ding, Dong, Bell. *23* A LAND DIRGE W. Shakespeare CALL for the robin-redbreast and the wren, The ant, the field mouse, and the mole To rear him hillocks that shall keep him warm, And (when gay tombs are robb’d) sustain no harm: But keep the wolf far thence, that's foe to men : For with his nails he'll dig them up again. 7. Webster I Full five fathoms under water 7 sea-nymphs, fairies 8 gay, splendid 5 dole, feast * 24 * THE SOLITUDE OF ALEXANDER SELKIRK I AM monarch of all I survey; My right there is none to dispute ; That sages have seen in thy face? I must finish my journey alone, In the ways of religion and truth, Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more :— O tell me I yet have a friend, Though a friend I am never to see! 6 sages, wise people 9 humanity, human creatures 21 assuage, heal 24 sallies, lively talk 27 report, news How fleet is a glance of the mind! And the swift-wingéd arrows of light. Soon hurries me back to despair. -But the seafowl is gone to her nest, W. Cowper *25* AT SEA A WET sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast And fills the white and rustling sail While like the eagle free Away the good ship flies, and leaves O for a soft and gentle wind! But give to me the snoring breeze And white waves heaving high; 33 glance, thought 42 lair, den 44 repair, go 48 makes us content with life 1 sheet, sail-ropes 8 lee, behind And white waves heaving high, my lads, The good ship tight and free :— The world of waters is our home, There's tempest in yon hornéd moon, The wind is piping loud, my boys, While the hollow oak our palace is, Our heritage the sea. A. Cunningham * 26 * SPRING SPRING, the sweet Spring, is the year's pleasant king; Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring, Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing, Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo! The palm and may make country houses gay, Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day, And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay, Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo. The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet, Spring! the sweet Spring! T. Nash 17 hornéd, new 23 oak, ship 24 heritage, proper home * 27* COUNTRY SCENES IN OLD DAYS Day-break SEE the day begins to break, And the light shoots like a streak Many a note and many a lay. Unfolding the Flocks Shepherds, rise, and shake off sleep- With his rising flames, which grow Folding the Flocks Shepherds all, and maidens fair, 'Gins to thicken, and the sun Already his great course hath run. 3 subtle, piercing 8 erst, before 10 lay, song 26 decay, harm 30 'gins, begins |