Rejoice, that human hearts, through scorn, Through shame, through death made strong, Before the rocks and heavens have borne Witness of God so long! Mrs. Hemans. SONG. Sing beside the cheerful streams! They are singing as they flow- From the hill-top blue and high, Rippling, rolling, gliding, winding, From "Henry Homeward." 110 PRAYER. THE WORM. Turn, turn thy hasty foot aside, The common Lord of all that move, The sun, the moon, the stars, he made, And spread o'er earth the grassy blade, Let them enjoy their little day, PRAYER. O sweeter than the marriage feast, 'Tis sweeter far to me, To walk together to the Kirk Gisborne. EXCELSIOR. To walk together to the Kirk, While each to his great Father bends, Farewell, farewell! but this I tell He prayeth best who loveth best, 111 Coleridge. EXCELSIOR. ASPIRATION AND PROGRESS. The shades of night were falling fast, Excelsior! His brow was sad; his eye beneath Flashed like a faulchion from its sheath; And like a silver clarion rung The accents of that unknown tongue, Excelsior! In happy homes he saw the light Of household fires gleam warm and bright; Excelsior! "Try not the pass "Excelsior!" "O stay," the maiden said, "and rest "Excelsior!" "Beware the pine-tree's withered branch! Beware the awful avalanche !" This was the peasant's last Goodnight A voice replied, far up the height, "Excelsior!" ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH. At break of day, as heavenward A voice came through the startled air, A traveller, by the faithful hound, There in the twilight cold and gray, 113 "Excelsior!" Longfellow. ASPIRATIONS OF YOUTH. Higher, higher will we climb. Up the mount of glory, That our names may live through time In our country's story; Happy, when her welfare calls, He who conquers, he who falls. |