ADDRESS TO A CHILD DURING A

BOISTEROUS WINTER EVENING.

WHAT way does the wind come? What way does he go? He rides over the water and over the snow,

Through wood, and through vale; and o'er rocky height
Which the goat cannot climb, takes his sounding flight;
He tosses about in every bare tree,

As, if you look up, you plainly may see;
But how he will come, and whither he goes,
There's never a scholar in England knows.

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He will suddenly stop in a cunning nook,
And ring a sharp 'larum ;-but, if you should look,
There's nothing to see but a cushion of snow,
Round as a pillow, and whiter than milk,
And softer than if it were covered with silk.
Sometimes he'll hide in the cave of a rock,
Then whistle as shrill as the buzzard cock;
Yet seek him,-and what shall you find in the place?
Nothing but silence and empty space :

Save, in a corner, a heap of dry leaves,

That he's left, for a bed, for beggars or thieves !

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As soon as 'tis daylight, to-morrow with me,
You shall go to the orchard, and then you will see
That he has been there, and made a great rout,
And cracked the branches, and strewn them about ;
Heaven grant that he spare but that one upright twig
That look'd up at the sky so proud and big

All last summer, as well you know,

Studded with apples, a beautiful show!

Written by Wordsworth's sister.

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Hark! over the roof he makes a pause,
And growls as if he would fix his claws
Right in the slates, and with a huge rattle
Drive them down, like men in a battle:

-But let him range round; he does us no harm; 32
We build up the fire, we're snug and warm ;
Untouch'd by his breath, see the candle shines bright,
And burns with a clear and steady light;

Books have we to read-but that half-stifled knell,
Alas! 'tis the sound of the eight o'clock bell.

-Come now we'll to bed! and when we are there, He may work his own will, and what shall we care? He may knock at the door,-we'll not let him in; 40 May drive at the windows,-we'll laugh at his din; Let him seek his own home wherever it be ; Here's a cozy warm house for Edward and me.

THE MARINER'S SONG.

A WET sheet and a flowing sea,

A wind that follows fast,

And fills the white and rustling sail,

And bends the gallant mast;

And bends the gallant mast, my boys,
While, like the eagle free,

Away the good ship flies, and leaves
Old England on the lee.

"Oh for a soft and gentle wind!”

I heard a fair one cry;

But give to me the snoring breeze,
And white waves heaving high;

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And white waves heaving high, my lads,
The good ship tight and free-

The world of waters is our home,

And merry men are we.

There's tempest in yon hornèd moon,

And lightning in yon cloud;

And hark the music, mariners!
The wind is piping loud;

The wind is piping loud, my boys,

The lightning flashes free

While the hollow oak our palace is,

Our heritage the sea.

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A. CUNNINGHAM.

A MOTHER'S RECOMPENSE.

WHAT can a mother's heart repay,

In after years,

For watchful night and weary day
Beside the cradle passed away,

And anxious tears?—

To see her dear one tread the earth

In life and health, and childish mirth.

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What can a mother's heart repay

For later care,

For words that heavenward point the way,
For counsel against passion's sway,

And earnest prayer ?—

To watch her little pilgrims press
Along the road to holiness.

C

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This will a mother's heart repay,
If that loved band,
Amidst life's doubtful battle-fray,
By grace sustained, shall often say,
"Next to God's hand,

All of true happiness we know,

Mother, to thy dear self we owe.”

REV. W. CALVERT.

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HOW COVENTRY WAS MADE FREE BY GODIVA, COUNTESS OF CHESTER.

LEOFRICUS, that noble earl
Of Chester, as I read,

Did for the city of Coventry
Many a noble deed:

Great privileges for the town

This noble man did get;
And of all things did make it so,

That they toll-free did sit :

Save only that for horses still

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They did some custom pay,

Which was great charges to the town,
Full long and many a day :

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Wherefore his wife Godiva fair

Did of the earl request,

That thereof he would make it free,

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As well as all the rest.

So when that she long time had sued,

Her purpose to obtain ;

Her noble lord at length she took,

When in a pleasant vein :

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And unto him with smiling cheer,

She did forthwith proceed, Entreating greatly that he would

Perform that goodly deed.

You move me much, my fair, quoth he,

Your suit I fain would shun;

But what will you perform and do,

To have this matter done?

Why any thing, my lord, (quoth she)

You will with reason crave;

I will perform it with good will,

If I my wish might have.

If thou wilt grant the thing, he said,

That I shall now require,

As soon as it is finished,

Thou shalt have thy desire.

Command what you think good, my lord,

I will thereto agree,

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On this condition, that the town

For ever may be free.

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If thou wilt but thy clothes strip off,
And by me lay them down,

And at noon-day on horseback ride

Stark-naked through the town;

They shall be free for evermore:

If thou wilt not do so,

More liberty than now they have,
I never will bestow.

The lady, at this strange demand,

Was much abash'd in mind; And yet for to fulfil this thing,

She never a whit repined.

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