And with a look made of all sweet accord, "The names of those who love the

Answered,
Lord."

And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still, and said: "I pray thee, then, Write me as one who loves his fellow-men.” The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again, with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,

And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest.

benry kirke Wbite.
1785-1806.

THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM.

When marshall'd on the nightly plain,
The glittering host bestud the sky;
One star alone, of all the train,

Can fix the sinner's wandering eye.

Hark! hark! to God the chorus breaks,
From every host, from every gem ;
But one alone the Saviour speaks,
It is the Star of Bethlehem.

Once on the raging seas I rode,

The storm was loud-the night was dark, The ocean yawn'd-and rudely blow'd

The wind that toss'd my foundering bark.

Deep horror then my vitals froze,

Death-struck, I ceased the tide to stem; When suddenly a star arose,

It was the Star of Bethlehem.

It was my guide, my light, my all,
It bade my dark forebodings cease;
And through the storm and dangers' thrall
It led me to the port of peace.

Now safely moor'd-my perils o'er,
I'll sing, first in night's diadem,

For ever and for evermore,

The Star-the Star of Bethlehem !

TO AN EARLY PRIMROSE.

Mild offspring of a dark and sullen sire!
Whose modest form, so delicately fine,
Was nursed in whirling storms,

And cradled in the winds.

Thee, when young spring first questioned win

ter's sway,

And dared the sturdy blusterer to the fight,

Thee on this bank he threw

To mark his victory.

In this low vale, the promise of the year,
Serene, thou openest to the nipping gale,
Unnoticed and alone,

Thy tender elegance.

So virtue blooms, brought forth amid the storms Of chill adversity; in some lone walk

Of life she rears her head,

Obscure and unobserved;

While every bleaching breeze that on her blows
Chastens her spotless purity of breast,

And hardens her to bear
Serene the ills of life.

John Wilson.

(CHRISTOPHER NORTH.)

1785-1854.

THE EVENING CLOUD.

A cloud lay cradled near the setting sun,
A gleam of crimson tinged its braided snow :
Long had it watched the glory moving on
O'er the still radiance of the lake below.
Tranquil its spirit seemed, and floated slow!
Even in its very motion there was rest ;
While every breath of eve that chanced to blow
Wafted the traveller to the beauteous west.
Emblem, methought, of the departed soul,
To whose white robe the gleam of bliss is given;
And by the breath of mercy made to roll
Right onwards to the golden gates of heaven,
Where to the eye of faith it peaceful lies,

And tells to man his glorious destinies.

Caroline Anne Bowles Soutbey.

1787-1854.

THE MARINER'S HYMN.

Launch thy bark, mariner!
Christian, God speed thee!
Let loose the rudder-bands,-
Good angels lead thee!
Set thy sails warily,
Tempests will come ;
Steer thy course steadily:
Christian, steer home!

Look to the weather-bow ;
Breakers are round thee;
Let fall the plummet now,
Shallows may ground thee.
Reef in the foresail, there!
Hold the helm fast!
So-let the vessel wear-

There swept the blast.

What of the night, watchman?
What of the night?

"Cloudy-all quiet

No land yet all 's right."
Be wakeful, be vigilant,-
Danger may be

At an hour when all seemeth

Securest to thee.

How! gains the leak so fast?
Clean out the hold,-

Hoist up thy merchandise,
Heave out thy gold;

There-let the ingots go

Now the ship rights;

Hurrah! the harbor 's near

Lo! the red lights!

Slacken not sail yet,
At inlet or island;

Straight for the beacon steer,
Straight for the highland;
Crowd all thy canvas on,
Cut through the foam :
Christian! cast anchor now,—
Heaven is thy home!

Bryan Waller Procter.

(BARRY CORNWALL.)

1787-1874.

THE PEARL-WEARER.

Within the midnight of her hair,
Half hidden in its deepest deeps,
A single peerless, priceless pearl,
All filmy-eyed, for ever sleeps.

Without the diamond's sparkling eyes,