Can the whole field a plant display, So rich, so noble, and so gay?" Yes," said the next, "the flow'r I show, So much does your dull plant outshine, "Stop," said the third, "the flow'r I hold, With cluster'd leaves of burnish'd gold, Than your's or his, is richer drest; The choice I've made, is doubtless best." A farmer chanc'd behind the gate - 66 My lads," he said, "now understand, These are but weeds that spoil our land; But the green blades you trample down, Are wheat, man's food, and nature's crown, With art and pains the crop is sown, And thus your daily bread is grown. Alas! your judgment was not right, Because you judg'd from outward sight." SECTION XI. Economy the source of charity. By gen'rous goodness taught, my early youth Small, yet convenient, for their wants were few: At early dawn, he led me to the field; And, drawing morals from each task he took, Would yield full harvest in that awful day, Each well-meant toil rewarded."-Once, perchance, To various little streams he turn'd its source, Where, wand'ring devious through his neat-dress'd grounds, It cheer'd the green copse, fill'd the earing corn, "Mark well, my child," he said; "this little stream Shall teach thee charity. It is a source I never knew to fail; directed thus Be that soft stream, the fountain of thy heart. Cheer all that droop."-The good man did not err : And, when I could, reliev'd them.-Yet I was young! I do remember well, a vet'ran old, Maim'd and disfigur'd by the hand of war, His various wants,-sore, sick, and wan, he seem'd: My little heart bled at each wound he show'd. And shall want cloud the ev'ning of his days, It was the first time that I e'er knew want: I was indeed a bankrupt. Edgar came. I wept, but spoke not; for my heart was full. "What wilt thou give, my boy?"-Fearing a lie, I sobb'd out truth most sadly. Edgar felt; Pardon'd my folly; (for he lov'd my tears ;) And gave what sooth'd the poor man's misery. But, in our ev'ning's walk, behold! the stream ་ Was dry. I ask'd the cause." Mark me, my child! This morn, like thee, I drew the stream too fast: CHAPTER III. DIDACTIC PIECES. SECTION I. To some children listening to a lark. SEE, the lark prunes his active wings, |