Far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife, They kept the noiseless tenor of their way. What nothing earthly gives, or can destroy, Pity the sorrows of a poor old man, Whose trembling limbs have borne him to thy door, Who lives to nature, rarely can be poor; When young, life's journey I began, The glitt'ring prospect charm'd my eyes I saw, along th' extended plain, Joy after joy successive rise. But soon I found 'twas all a dream, And learn'd the fond pursuit to shun, Where few can reach their purpos'd aim, And thousands daily are undone. "Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours; And ask them what report they bore to Heav'n. * All nature is but art, unknown to thee; All chance, direction which thou canst not see All partial evil, universal good. Heav'n's choice is safer than our own: Of ages past inquire : What the most formidable fate? "To have our own desire.". If ceaseless, thus, the fowls of heav'n he feeds, If o'er the fields such luoid robes he spreads a Will he not care for you, ye faithless, say? Is he unwise? or are ye less than they? The spacious firmament on high, And spangled heav'ns; a shining frame, Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wond'rous tale, And, nightly, to the list'ning earth, Repeats the story of her birth: Whilst all the stars that round her burn, What though, in solemn silenor, PART III. EXERCISES IN SYNTAX. RULE I. FIFTY pounds of wheat contains forty pounds of flour. What avails the best sentiments, if persons do not live suitably to them. Thou should love thy neighbour, as sincerely as thou loves thyself. RULE II. Idleness and ignorance is the parent of many vices. Patience and diligence, like faith, removes mountains. What signifies the counsel and care of precep tors, when youth think they have no need of assistance? RULE IN Man's happiness or misery, are in a great measure, put into his own hands. Man is not such a machine as a clock or a watch, which move merely as they are moved. Speaking impatiently to servants, or any thing that betrays inattention or ill-humor, are certainly criminal. RULE IV. The British Parliament are composed of Kings, Lords, and Commons, A great number do not always argue strength, The council was not unanimous, and separated without coming to any determination. RULE V. They which seek wisdom will certainly find her. I do not think that any person should incur censure, for being tender of their reputation. Thou who has been a witness of the fact, can give an account of it. RULE VI. If he will not hear his best friend, whom shalt be sent to admonish him? The persons who conscience and virtue support may smile at the caprices of fortune. From the character of those who you associate with, your own will be estimated. RULE VII. Thou art the friend that hast often relieved me, and that has not deserted me now in the time of peculiar need. I perceive that thou art a pupil who possesses bright parts, but who has cultivated them but little. RULE VIII. These kind of indulgencies soften and injure the mind. Instead of improving yourselves, you have been playing this two hours. Those sort of favors did real injury, under the appearance of kindness. RULE IX.! The fire, the air, the earth, and the water, are four elements of the philosophers. We are placed here unde a trial of our virtue The profligate man iseldom er never found to be the good husband, he good father, or the beneficent neighbor RULE X. Thy apestors virtue is not thine. Thy fathers offence will not condemn thee. A mothers tenderness and a fathers care, are natare's gifts for mans advantage. A mans manners frequently influence his fortune. RULE XI. Who have I reason to love so much as this friend of my youth? The man who he raised from obscurity, is dead, He and they we know, but who art thou ? G2 RULE XII. It is better live on a little, than outlive a great You ought not walk too hastily. I have seen some young persons to conduct themselves very discreetly. RULE XIII. The next new year's day, I shall be at school three years. From the little conversation I had with him, he appeared to have been a man of letters. It would have given me great satisfaction, to relieve him from that distressed situation RULE XIV. Esteeming themselves wise, they became fools. Suspecting not only ye, but they also, I was studious to avoid all intercourse. From having exposed himself too freely in differ ent climates, he entirely lost his health. RULE XV. He was pleasing not often, because he was vain. William nobly acted, though he was unsucceɛs-« ful. We may happily live, though our possessions be small. RULE XVI. Be honest, nor take no shve nor resemblance of disguise. There cannot be nothing more insignificant than Vanity. The measure is so exceptionable, that we cannot by no means permit it. RULE XVII. We are all accountable creatures, each for his self. Does that boy know who, he speaks to? Who does he offer such language to? It was not he that they were so angry with. RULE XVIII. My brother and him are tolerable grammarians. |