"T is past, 't is past! but I gaze on it now, With quivering breath and throbbing brow: "Twas there she nursed me, 'twas there she died, And memory flows with lava tide. Say it is folly, and deem me weak, Whilst scalding drops start down my cheek; ROSES UNDERNEATH THE SNOW Summer groves may lose their gladness, One by one the links that bind us But the sun will surely find us, Through the winter's gloomy dearth! Never joy that earth can send us, Every flower that spring can lend us Cares may come, but never mind them; Brave the storm with firm endeavor, VERSES SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SELKIRK DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. BY WILLIAM COWPER I am monarch of all I survey; My right there is none to dispute; That sages have seen in thy face? I am out of humanity's reach; I must finish my journey alone; The beasts that roam over the plain, Society, Friendship, and Love, In the ways of religion and truth, Might learn from the wisdom of age, And be cheer'd by the sallies of youth. Religion! what treasure untold Resides in that heavenly word! More precious than silver and gold, Or all that this earth can afford. But the sound of the church-going bell These valleys and rocks never heard; Never sigh'd at the sound of a knell, Or smiled when a Sabbath appear'd. Ye winds that have made me your sport, Convey to this desolate shore Some cordial endearing report Of a land I shall visit no more: My friends, do they now and then send A wish or a thought after me? Oh, tell me I yet have a friend, How fleet is a glance of the mind! And the swift-winged arrows of light. Soon hurries me back to despair. But the sea-fowl is gone to her nest, And I to my cabin repair. And mercy encouraging thought! — Gives even affliction a grace, And reconciles man to his lot. THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN SHOWING HOW HE WENT FARTHER THAN HE INTENDED AND CAME SAFE HOME AGAIN. BY WILLIAM COWPER John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown; A trainband captain eke was he Of famous London town. John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear "Tho' wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen. "To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the Bell at Edmonton All in a chaise and pair. "My sister and my sister's child, Will fill the chaise; so you must ride He soon replied, "I do admire "I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know; And my good friend, the calender, Will lend his horse to go." 'Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; And, for that wine is dear, We will be furnish'd with our own, Which is both bright and clear." John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife; That, though on pleasure she was bent, |