As showers from the clouds of summer, 8. Who through long days of labor, 9. Such songs have power to quiet 10. Then read from the treasured volume 11. And the night shall be filled with music, And as silently steal away. HENRY W. LONGFELLOW. DEFINITIONS.-3. A kin', allied by nature. 4. Lay, a song. 5. Єor'ri dōrs, long passage-ways. 8. De void', destitute. 38.-DAVID'S LAMENT OVER ABSALOM. NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS was born at Portland, Maine, January 20, 1807. He was educated at Yale College, and while yet a student received a prize for his Scriptural Poems. He afterward established several periodicals, and contributed to many others. He wrote numerous works, both in prose and in poetry, including biographies, dramas, narratives, and romances. His style is graceful and vivacious, and his writings indicate that he was a thoughtful and close observer. He died January 21, 1867. 1. KING DAVID's limbs were weary. He had fled Upon the shore of Jordan. The light wind. They gathered round him on the fresh green bank, 2. Oh, when the heart is full,-when bitter thoughts For his estranged, misguided Absalom, The proud, bright being who had burst away, In all his princely beauty, to defy The heart that cherished him,-for him he poured, 3. The pall was settled. He who slept beneath Was straitened for the grave; and as the folds Sunk to the still proportions, they betrayed As when, in hours of gentle dalliance, bathing 4. The soldiers of the king trod to and fro, 5. Of David entered, and he gave command, In a low tone, to his few followers, And left him with his dead. The king stood still Till the last echo died; then, throwing off 6. "Alas, my noble boy, that thou shouldst die,Thou, who wert made so beautifully fair! That death should settle in thy glorious eye, And leave his stillness in this clustering hair. How could he mark thee for the silent tomb,My proud boy, Absalom! 7. "Cold is thy brow, my son, and I am chill, As to my bosom I have tried to press thee. How was I wont to feel my pulses thrill Like a rich harp-string, yearning to caress thee, And hear thy sweet 'My father!' from these dumb And cold lips, Absalom ! 8. "The grave hath won thee. I shall hear the gush Of music and the voices of the young, And life shall pass me in the mantling blush, 9. "And, oh, when I am stricken, and my heart Yearn for thine ear, to drink its last deep token! 10. "And now farewell! 'Tis hard to give thee up With death so like a gentle slumber on thee; And thy dark sin,-oh, I could drink the cup, If from this woe its bitterness had won thee. May God have called thee like a wanderer home, My lost boy Absalom!" 11. He covered up his face, and bowed himself And, as if strength were given him of God, DEFINITIONS.-2. Fer vent ly, earnestly. Sup pli că ́tion, en◄ treaty. 3. Pro pōr'tions, shape. Dăl'li ançe, sportiveness. 5. Sack'eloth, a coarse cloth or garment worn in mourning. 8. Măn'tling, rising and spreading. 11. Con vůl'sive ly, with great agitation. Com pōşed', placed in proper form. NOTE. For an account of the incidents on which the poem is founded, see 2 Samuel xviii. 39.-MARION'S MEN. WILLIAM GILMORE SIMMS was born at Charleston, South Carolina, April 17, 1806. His early education was meager, owing partly to the poverty of the family, and partly to his own delicate health. He studied law, and was admitted to the bar at the age of twenty-one. He soon abandoned the law, however, and turned his attention to literary pursuits. As novelist, poet, essayist, critic, and reviewer, he gained considerable fame. A History of South Carolina, Life of Marion, The Partisan, Guy Rivers, The Border Beagles, and Mellichampe (from which the extract is taken) are some of his best-known works. His style is vigorous, his descriptions of natural scenery are often beautiful, and his plots are well conceived. He died at Charleston, June 11, 1870. 1. THE partisan had managed admirably, but he was now compelled to fly. The advantage of the ground was no longer with him. Tarleton, with his entire force, had now passed through the avenue, and had appeared in the open court in front. The necessity of rapid flight became apparent to Singleton, and the wild, lively notes of his trumpet were accordingly heard stirring the air at not more than rifle-distance from the gathering troop of Tarleton. Bitterly aroused by this seeming audacity,-an audacity to which Tarleton, waging a war hitherto of continual successes, had never been accustomed, his ire grew into fury. |