plain a tale shall put you down.-Then did we two set on you four: and, with a word, outfaced you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you here in the house:and, Falstaff, you carried your mountain sides away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I heard a calf. What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done; and then say it was in fight! What trick, what device, what starting hole, canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame?

Poins. Come, let's hear, Jack; What trick hast thou now? Fal. Ha, ha, ha! I knew ye, as well as he that made ye. Why, hear ye, my masters: Was it for me to kill the heirapparent. Should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest, I am as valiant as Hercules: but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee, during my life; I, for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, lads, I am glad you have the money.Hostess, clap to the doors; watch to-night, pray to-morrow.-Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to you! What, shall we be merry? shall we have a play extempore?

P. Hen. Content,-and the argument shall be, thy running away.

Fal. Ah! no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me.

A VACATION HYMN.

Once again we are gathered here,
Noting the closing day;

Looking back on the by-gone year,
Thinking of all its love and cheer,
What has it brought, to us most dear,
And that will not pass away?

YYY

Gather the links, gather the links,
Hold them up to the light;

Fasten them on to the golden chain,
And keep them pure and bright!

Lessons we've learned in the months now past,
Truths that have touched the heart;
Gather them up and bind them fast,
Treasure the best from first to last,
That a spell may be ever in memory cast,-
That the good shall not depart!

Thoughts of the dear All-Father's love,
Drawing us near to Him;

Times when we've felt His spirit move,
Wakening in us our purest love;

Let us cherish all these, that they may prove
Helps when our faith is dim.

That all we have learned, and felt, and known,
In this last happy year;

May be only in added blessing shown,
Proving in truth we are not alone,

That One who is with us the work will own,
And is bidding us not to fear.

Then when our minglings here are o'er,
And the end of time shall come;
The chain of love we had known before,
Will reach from earth to the other shore,
And a Saviour's hand will guide us o'er,
To the endless joys of home.

Gather the links, gather the links,
Hold them up to the light;
Fasten them on to the golden chain,
And keep them pure and bright!

Part Twelfth.

100

CHOICE SELECTIONS.

No. 12.

THEN AND NOW,-1776-1876.-F. W. FISH.

Looking back a hundred years,

And comparing the now and then,
It seems to me that in spite of fears
The country has earnest men,

As willing to draw the sword for right,
As ready to wield the pen.

It seems to me that in faithful hearts
The currents yet ebb and flow,

With a constant motion that still imparts
As steady and clear a glow

Of zeal for freedom's glorious arts,

As a hundred years ago.

It seems to me that in field and forge,

By river and by rill,

In fertile plain and mountain gorge,

In city and hamlet, still

They live as they did in the days of King George,
Of Concord and Bunker Hill.

I do not know that the hands are weak,
Or the brain unused to plan;

That the tongue delays the truth to speak,
Or the foot to march in the van;

But I know full well that we need not seek
In vain for a Minute Man.

7