In matted grass, that with a livelier green
Betrays the secret of their silent course.
Nature inanimate employs sweet sounds,
But animated nature sweeter still,

To soothe and satisfy the human ear.

Ten thousand warblers cheer the day, and one
The livelong night: nor these alone, whose notes
Nice-finger'd Art must emulate in vain,

But cawing rooks, and kites that swim sublime
In still-repeated circles, screaming loud,
The jay, the pie, and e'en the boding owl
That hails the rising moon, have charms for me.
Sounds inharmonious in themselves and harsh,
Yet heard in scenes where peace for ever reigns,
And only there, please highly for their sake.

WILLIAM COWPER, 1731-1800.

-The Task.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

"After this manner, therefore, pray ye !"-MAtt. vi.

FATHER in heaven! Thy sacred name
In hallow'd strains be sung ;
Thy kingdom spread o'er all the earth;
Thy praise fill every tongue.

By happy spirits round Thy throne

As Thy commands are done;

So be Thy perfect will obey'd

By all beneath the sun.

Our numerous wants are known to Thee,

Who canst alone supply;

Oh grant each day our daily bread,
Nor other goods deny!

Forgive our sins, as we forgive
The wrongs that others do;
Nor let temptations press around,
Lest we those sins renew.

Thou art our safety and defence
When dangers threat'ning stand;

Oh turn aside impending ills
With Thy Almighty hand!

Thy sceptre all creation sways;
Thy power knows no control;
Thy matchless glory shall endure

While endless ages roll.

HANCOX.

THE SKIES.

Av! gloriously thou standest there,
Beautiful, boundless firmament!
That, swelling wide o'er earth and air,
And round the horizon bent,
With thy bright vault and sapphire wall
Dost overhang and circle all.

Far, far below thee, tall old trees
Arise, and piles built up of old,
And hills, whose ancient summits freeze
In the fierce light and cold.
The eagle soars his utmost height,

Yet far thou stretchest o'er his flight.

Thou hast thy frowns-with thee on high
The storm has made his airy seat,
Beyond that soft blue curtain lie

His stores of hail and sleet;
Thence the consuming lightnings break,
There the strong hurricanes awake.

Yet art thou prodigal of smiles

Smiles sweeter than thy frowns are stern; Earth sends from all her thousand isles

A shout at thy return;

The glory that comes down from thee

Bathes in deep joy the land and sea.

The sun, the gorgeous sun, is thine,

The pomp that brings and shuts the day,
The clouds that round him change and shine,
The airs that fan his way ;

Thence look the thoughtful stars, and there
The meek moon walks the silent air.

The sunny Italy may boast

The beauteous tints that flush her skies;
And lovely, round the Grecian coast,
May thy blue pillars rise:

I only know how fair they stand
Around my own beloved land.

And they are fair—a charm is theirs,

That earth, the proud green earth, has not, With all the forms, and hues, and airs,

That haunt her sweetest spot.

We gaze upon thy calm, pure sphere,
And read of Heaven's eternal year.

Oh when, amid the throng of men,
The heart grows sick of hollow mirth,
How willingly we turn us then
Away from this cold earth,

And look into thy azure breast
For seats of innocence and rest!

-American.

W. C. BRYANT, 1798.

O GOD, OUR FATHER, HEAR!

WHEN dawn awakes our hearts
To breathe the morning prayer;
When toil-worn day departs,

And gives a pause to care;
When those our souls love best
Kneel with us, in Thy fear,

To ask Thy peace and rest-
O God, our Father, hear!

When worldly snares without,
And evil thoughts within,
Stir up some impious doubt,
Or lure us back to sin;
When human strength proves frail,
And will but half sincere ;
When faith begins to fail-

O God, our Father, hear!

When in our cup of mirth
The drop of trembling falls,
And the frail props of earth

Are crumbling round our walls; When back we gaze with grief, And forward glance with fear;

When faileth man's relief

O God, our Father, hear!