He fell into discourse with him; and thus St. P. N. Tell me what brings you, gentle youth, to Rome? Youth. To make myself a scholar, Sir, I come. St. P. N. And, when you are one what do you intend? Youth. To be a priest, I hope, Sir, in the end. Youth. That I may get to be a canon, too. Youth. Why then, for aught I know, I may be made a bishop. St. P. N. Be it so What then? Youth. Why, cardinal's a high degree, And yet my lot it possibly may be. St. P. N. Suppose it was—what then? Youth. Why, who can say But I've a chance of being pope one day? St. P. N. Well, having worn the mitre and red hat, And triple crown, what follows after that? Youth. Nay, there is nothing further, to be sure, Upon this earth, that wishing can procure: When I've enjoy'd a dignity so high As long as God shall please, then I must die. St. P. N. What! must you die? fond youth! and at the best But wish, and hope, and may be all the rest? Take my advice-whatever may betide, For that which must be, first of all provide, Then think of that which may be; and, indeed, When well prepar'd, who knows what may succeed? But you may be, as you are pleas'd to hope, 102.-THE REVEILLE. [1] Byrom. Up! quit thy bower, late wears the hour, Waste not these hours, so fresh, so gay, Up! time will tell, the morning bell [1] Reveillé-the notice that it is time to rise; properly used as a military term. [2] Service-sound sound for matins, or morning prayers. [8] Crone-an old woman. 103.-GOOD NIGHT! The sun is down, the day gone by, Eke out [1] a blithe but stinted [2] day; The lady in her curtain'd bed, The herdsman in his wattled shed, [s] Sweet sleep be with us, one and all! The visions of a busy brain, We'll have our pleasure o'er again, To warm the heart, to charm the sight; Miss Baillie. [1] Eke out-lengthen. [2] Stinted-limited-too short. [3] Wattled shed-a shed, the walls of which are made of twigs and sticks interwoven together. [4] Clansman—a member of a clan, or family—here a dependent member, whose place is in the hall. [5] Heathered hall-strewn with heath to lie on. 104.-BIRDS IN SUMMER. How pleasant the life of a bird must be, In the leafy trees, so broad and tall, Flitting about in a leafy tree, And away through the air what joy to go, Cresting the billows like silvery foam, What joy it must be to sail, upborne And pierce like a shaft the boundless space! How pleasant the life of a bird must be, What joy it must be, like a living breeze, The wastes of the blossoming purple heath, Mary Howitt. 105.-MORAL AXIOMS. Duty by habit is to pleasure turn'd; [1] Listeth-chooses, pleases. |