How many go forth at morning And hearts have broken for harsh words spoken We have careful thought for the stranger, Ah, brow with the shade of scorn, A LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE BY EPES SARGENT A life on the ocean wave, A home on the rolling deep; On this dull, unchanging shore: Once more on the deck I stand, We shoot through the sparkling foam, We'll find far out on the sea. The land is no longer in view, We'll say, Let the storm come down! A home on the rolling sea! A life on the ocean wave! TREASURE IN HEAVEN BY JOHN GODFREY SAXE RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO GEORGE PEABODY, ESQ. "What I spent, I had; what I left, OLD EPITAPH Every coin of earthly treasure All the gold we leave behind us But each merciful oblation Is the treasure that we hoard, THE OLD MAN'S MOTTO "Give me a motto!" said a youth To one whom years had rendered wise; "Some pleasant thought, or weighty truth, That briefest syllables comprise; Some word of warning or of cheer "And, reverend father," said the boy, "Since life, they say, is ever made A mingled web of grief and joy; Since cares may come and pleasures fade,Pray, let the motto have a range Of meaning matching every change." "Sooth!" said the sire, "methinks you A labor something over-nice, That well a finer brain might task. What think you, lad, of this device (Older than I, though I am gray), "T is simple, 'This will pass away'? "When wafted on by Fortune's breeze, In endless peace thou seem'st to glide, Prepare betimes for rougher seas, And check the boast of foolish pride; Though smiling joy is thine to-day, Remember, "This will pass away!' "When all the sky is draped in black, "Thus, O my son, be not o'er-proud, ask Nor yet cast down; judge thou aright; When skies are clear, expect the cloud; In darkness, wait the coming light; Whatever be thy fate to-day, Remember, 'This will pass away!'" THE SUPERFLUOUS MAN BY JOHN GODFREY SAXE "It is ascertained by inspection of the registers of many countries, that the uniform proportion of male to female births is as 21 to 20: accordingly, in respect to marriage, every 21st man is naturally superfluous."-TREATISE ON POPULATION. I long have been puzzled to guess, And so I have frequently said, That I never have happened to wed; Those clever statistical chaps They've got a superfluous man! By twenties and twenties they go, For I'm a superfluous man! |