You cried-Forbear!—but in my breast 'Twas Nature, Sir, whose strong behest3 Yet, much as Nature I respect, And when your linnet, on a day, Had fluttered all his strength away, Well knowing him a sacred thing, I only kiss'd his ruffled wing, Let my obedience then excuse Nor some reproof yourself refuse If killing birds be such a crime What think you, Sir, of killing time THE ADMIRAL'S GRAVE. Down, down, beneath the deep That oft in triumph bore him, He sleeps a sound and peaceful sleep With the wild waves dashing o'er him. He sleeps!-he sleeps! serene, and safe The sea and him in death They did not dare to sever: It was his home when he had breath: "Tis now his home for ever! Sleep on, sleep on, thou mighty dead! A glorious tomb they've found thee; The broad blue sky above thee spread: The boundless ocean round thee. 44 THE BLIND BOY. SAY what is that thing call'd Light, You talk of wondrous things you see; the sun shines bright; I feel him warm, but how can he You say Or1 make it day or night? My day or night myself I make With heavy sighs I often hear Then let not what I cannot have 1 or, for either. 2 hapless, unhappy. 45 THE LAMB. ITTLE Lamb who made thee? Making all the vales rejoice, Dost thou know who made thee? Little Lamb, I'll tell thee! THE boy stood on the burning deck, The flame that lit the battle's wreck, Yet beautiful and bright he stood, The flames rolled on-he would not go He called aloud: "Say, father, say, He knew not that the chieftain2 lay "Speak, father!" once again he cried, * Casabianca was the son of the Admiral of the French fleet that fought the Battle of the Nile in 1798, with the British under Nelson. He and his father were on board the flagship "L'Orient," which caught fire and blew up. The Admiral (Brueyes) had, before that, been killed by a cannon shot. 1 heroic, noble, belonging to a hero. 3 unconscious, not aware. 2 chieftain, the commander. 4 booming, deep sounding. |