Since England's glory first began, The half is yours! but, Jonathan, O Brother, could we both be one While earth to John and Jonathan Add but your stripes and golden stars Let us two bless where others ban, And so, my cordial Jonathan, What more? I touch not holier strings Nor glance at prophets, priests, and kings, As friend with friend, and man with man, As David's love to Jonathan, Be Jonathan's to us! Martin Farquhar Tupper: born, 1810. Mr. Tupper received his education at the Charterhouse, and Christ's College, Cambridge. Abandoning his original intention of following the law, he took to literature as a profession, and is widely known as a poet, novelist, and writer of essays. His chief works are Geraldine, Proverbial Philosophy, and Ballads for the Times. 1 HOW CHEERY ARE THE MARINERS! How cheery are the mariners- Their hearts are like its yeasty waves, They whistle when the storm-bird wheels And sing when deep in foam the ship What care the mariners for gales? The vessel stout will ride it out, With streamers down and canvas furled, A silken-tasselled boat; That sweep against the rocky coast And men on shore will bless the ship Safe in the hollow of His hand, To brave the mighty sea! Benjamin Parke: 1801-1864. Parke American. A native of Newport, Rhode Island. began life as a schoolmaster, but took to the law, and commenced practice in 1828. For some years he was editor of a political journal,-and wrote for various magazines and reviews till 1860, when he retired to his family estate, Parkvale. A SEA SONG. A WET sheet and a flowing sea, A wind that follows fast, And fills the white and rustling sail, Away the good ship flies, and leaves 'Oh for a soft and gentle wind!' I hear a fair one cry; But give to me the snoring breeze, There's tempest in yon hornèd moon, The wind is piping loud, my boys, Our heritage the sea. Allan Cunningham: 1784-1842. A Scotch poet, of humble origin, who began life as apprentice to a builder, but afterwards became manager in the works of the eminent sculptor, Sir Francis Chantrey. He devoted his whole leisure to literary work, and acquired high reputation both as author and editor. THE DEATH OF THE BRAVE. By fairy hands their knell is rung, William Collins: 1721-1759. A native of Chichester, educated at Winchester and Magdalen College, Oxford. His literary career began at College, and he was full of high hopes and projects for the future. But, like many another genius, he lacked the talents of steady purpose and self-control. His indolence and dissipated habits made him unsuccessful, and combined with his disappointment to bring him at last into a pitiable state of nervous imbecility, wherein he spent the last five years of his existence. The poetical work of Collins is pure in taste and elegant in expression. His Odes on The Death of Thomson, and To Evening, and a dirge in Cymbeline, take rank among the minor gems of English poetry. SOLDIER, REST! SOLDIER, rest! thy warfare o'er, Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking, Days of danger, nights of waking. In our isle's enchanted hall, Hands unseen thy couch are strewing, Fairy strains of music fall, Every sense in slumber dewing. Mustering clan or squadron champing; Ruder sounds shall none be near, Sir Walter Scott: 1771-1832. (See page 152.) THE SOLDIER'S DREAM. OUR bugles sang truce, for the night-cloud had lowered, When reposing that night on my pallet of straw, And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again. Methought from the battle-field's dreadful array, In life's morning march, when my bosom was young; I heard my own mountain-goats bleating aloft, And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers sung. Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore, From my home and my weeping friends never to part; My little ones kissed me a thousand times o'er, And my wife sobbed aloud in her fulness of heart. Stay, stay with us-rest, thou art weary and worn ; |