The British School Series. THE LITERARY READER: OR, SELECTIONS FROM OUR STANDARD AUTHORS, INCLUDING Readings from Shakespeare's Historical For STANDARDS V., VI., and VII. EDITED BY THOMAS MORRISON, LL.D., RECTOR, FREE CHURCH TRAINING COLLEGE, GLASGOW. Enlarged Edition GALL & INGLIS. London: 25 PATERNOSTER SQUARE. Edinburgh: 20 BERNARD TERRACE. 3987. f. 84 PREFACE. THE Literary Reader, constructed to meet the requirements of Standards V. VI. and VII. of the New Code, contains classical extracts in prose and verse, intended to furnish the Teacher with the means of cultivating the higher attributes of good reading. A very considerable portion of the volume consists of Readings from Shakespeare's Historical Plays and from Milton. These Readings are accompanied by a running commentary, which will enable the pupil to understand the portions selected, and their connection with the play or poem from which they are taken. A few biographical and other Notes have been inserted, dealing mainly with the allusions, and with matters that do not lie on the surface. GLASGOW, May, 1882. 2 T. M. [SAMUEL ROGERS, born 1763, was a banker in London. His bestknown work is the "Pleasures of Memory," published in 1792. Besides this poem, he is the author of "Poems," published in 1812, and "Italy," published in 1822. He died 18th December, 1855.] 1. THE lark has sung his carol in the sky; The bees have hummed their noontide lullaby; The babe, the sleeping image of his sire. 2. A few short years—and then these sounds shall hail The day again, and gladness fill the vale; So soon the child a youth, the youth a man, Then the huge ox shall yield the broad sirloin, 3. And soon again shall music swell the breeze; Soon, issuing forth, shall glitter through the trees Vestures of nuptial white; and hymns be sung, And violets scattered round; and old and young, 5 |