5. When MALICE foul, or deadly HATE, And dark, revengeful thirst create, 6. When sluggish SLEEP, with folded arms, (") Rise up at once, resist her charms; 7. When AVARICE would, with heartless speed, And whisper joy from Mammon's greed, 8. When filthy LUCRE lifts her hand, Though she should promise all the land, 9. When greedy GAIN, or rash EMPRISE, Keep Wisdom's words before thine eyes, 10. When mad AMBITION would seduce And turn the selfish passions loose, In 11. When foul CONTEMPT of Holy Writ The wish to be where scorners sit,t Let Conscience answer, -No! *Prov., 11th Chap., 15th verse. 1st Psalm, 1st verse. 12. When SIN, indeed, whate'er her style, Stay not to hear the Sorceress vile, PE RUSE', read; study. AL LOT TED, assigned. LESSON XXVI. ME RID' I AN, noon; mid-day. RU' BY, precious stone. PUP PET, little image. DE TER MINE, decide; find out. MYS' TIC, secret; mysterious. We have seldom seen any thing so full of wit, truth, and practical wisdom, as this poem inscribed TO MASTERS ROBERT AND JOHN. 1. TAKE this book, my boys, Earnestly peruse it; Much of after lies In the way ye use it: Keep it neat and clean; For, remember, in it, Marks a thoughtless minute. · 2. Life is like a book, Time is like a printer, Darting now his look. Where has gloomed no winter. DAVIS. Thus he'll look, and on, Till each page allotted, Robert, thee and John, Printed be or blotted. 3. Youth's a sunny beam, Not in childish mourning,— Not in childish play, But in useful learning. 4. As your years attain Life's meridian brightness, Hourly seek and gain Genuine politeness: This lives not in forms, As too many teach us,— Not in silken speeches, 5. Not in haughty eye, Not in artful dealing, Not within the sigh Of a mimicked feeling: Rich in nature's splendor, Over honest pride, Gentleness and candor. 6. Slight ye not the soul Holds a mighty spirit: 7. What is good and great, Fools may be her captors; 8. Value not the lips Swiftest kept in motion; Fleetly-sailing ships Draw no depth of ocean: 9. Cull from bad and good Every seeming flower, Store it up as food For some hungry hour: Press its every leaf, And remember, Johnny, May have drops of honey. 10. Pomp and power alone Never make a blessing; By one wretch distressing. For the blood-earned penny, Than be rich, and have A curse on every guinea. 11. Think, my gentle boys, Sees but vice below it. 12. Robert, thoughts like these, Store you more than money; For being truly simple. QUESTIONS.-1. What did the writer tell Robert and John to do with the book, given them? 2. What use did he tell them to make of Youth? |