artist, who lay reclining upon his couch, and wondering what the fates would work out for him. Directing his attention to a block of unhewn marble, with a chisel lying by its side, the sculptor in the vision is represented as thus addressing him: "Sir, "There's the marble, there's the chisel, Thou alone must shape thy future, Heaven send thee strength and skill!" QUESTIONS.-1. Who is benefited in studying? 2. What really rewards the labor of study? 3. What is said of the boy who succeeded after six hours of hard study? 4. What, of the boy who gave up, after the first trial? 5. What counsel was given to the artist who wondered what the fates would work out for him? How are the words to be read, which are printed in Italics and in capitals? See page 22, Note III. LESSON XVI. SLACK' EN, relax; lessen. OUT STRIP' PED, outrun; excelled. VIC TO RY, conquest; triumph. UT'TER MOST, very best. BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. 1. Life is a race, where some succeed, "Tis luck, at times, at others, speed, But, if you chance to fall behind, Just keep this wholesome truth in mind: 2. If you can keep ahead, 'tis well; 'Tis better late than never! 3. Ne'er labor for an idle boast But, while you strive your uttermost, And hold your purpose ever; 4. Choose well the path in which you run,Succeed by noble daring; Then, though the last, when once 'tis won, Then never fret, if left behind, Nor slacken your endeavor; 'Tis better late than never! 5. Yet, would you cure this sad defect, Begin, at once, and now correct This day resolve,-this very hour, Nor e'en a moment wait; Go, make this better maxim yours,— 'Tis better never late! QUESTIONS.-1. To what is life compared, first verse? 2. What advice is given y you chance to fall behind? 3. How ought you to treat your competitors? 4. What is a very common failing? 5. How may it be corrected? 6. What is the use of the apostrophe in the word repining's, fifth verse? WHY wouldst thou leave me, O gentle child? Where many an image of marble gleams, BOY. Oh, green is the turf where my brothers play, They find the red cup-moss where they climb, LADY. Content thee, boy, in my bower to dwell; Here are sweet sounds which thou lovest well, — Flutes on the air in the stilly noon, Harps which the wandering breezes tune, And the silvery wood-note of many a bird Whose voice was ne'er in thy mountains heard. BOY. My mother sings, at the twilight's fall, A song of the hills, far more sweet than all; LADY. (pl.) Thy mother hath gone from her cares to rest; Come thou with me to the vineyards nigh, ΒΟΥ. Is my mother gone from her home away'?— I know they are gathering the fox-glove's bell, Or the long fern leaves by the sparkling well; Or they launch their boats where the bright streams flow, Lady, kind lady! oh, let me go! LADY. Fair child, thy brothers are wanderers now, For thy cabin-home is a lonely spot. BOY. Are they gone, all gone from the sunny hill'? And the waters leap, and the fresh winds blow,— QUESTIONS.-1. What kind of words are straw-roofed, heath-flower, woodnote, &c.? 2. What is the use of the apostrophes in the words o'er, ne'er, twilight's, &c.? LESSON XVIII. AP PAR ENT LY, evidently. CLAM' OR OUS, noisy; importunate. AT MOS PHÈRE, surrounding air. DIS TRI BU' TION, division. |