THE TWO SLEEP-WALKERS.

ONE summer-morn, as darkness fled,
Two walking dreamers rose from bed,
Their foolish pranks, through sleep, to play,
Pursuing each his fav`rite way.

One, on the roofs, from house to house, Sprung like a cat that spies a mouse;

The other paced, devoid of fear,

The railing of a lofty pier.

But him a prudent person spied,

And gently by the hand decoy'd,
Far from the pier's tremendous steep,
Then safely rous'd him from his sleep.
The other had a different lot-
For while, like nitre quick and hot,
From roof to roof the phantom flew,
The noise a pedant's notice drew,

Who from his garret's sky-light casement
Beheld our dreamer with amazement,
And like a grave logician cried,
Proving with syllogistic pride

That folks should rest within by night :
The dreamer starts: fear dims his sight;
His eye with horror spans the street;
-A gulf that yawns beneath his feet:
His limbs give way, and on the stones
Tumbling amain, he breaks his bones.

The walking dreamer here is meant
The state of youth to represent,
With all that ignorance so blind,
Which for its safeguard is design'd.
Watch by its side-its steps partake,
With patient care, till it awake;
Else all our pains are overthrown.
Be silent-and the day's our own.
See that the proper path it keep,
So long as reason lies asleep:
But woo it gently by the hand,
Inculcate nothing-nought command.
Guard it from ill, and good 'twill learn,
When good and ill it can discern :
The master's rules may then succeed,
To close and crown the work with speed.