Ever leading through receding clouds of error,
To the empire of the Strong,
And to Wrong, he shall long

Be a terror.

J. T. TROWBRIDGE.

LESSON XLV.

COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR.

A

ND wherefore do the Poor complain?" The Rich man asked of me;"Come, walk abroad with me," I said, "And I will answer thee."

2. 'Twas evening, and the frozen streets
Were cheerless to behold;

And we were wrapped and coated well,
And yet we were a-cold.

3. We met an old bareheaded man,
His locks were few and white;
I asked him what he did abroad
In that cold winter's night.

4. The cold was keen indeed, he said,
But at home no fire had he,

And therefore he had come abroad
To ask for charity.

5. We met a young barefooted child,
And she begged loud and bold;
I asked her what she did abroad

When the wind it blew so cold.

6. She said her father was at home,
And he lay sick a-bed,

And therefore was it she was sent
Abroad to beg for bread.

7. We saw a woman sitting down
Upon a stone to rest;

She had a baby at her back,
And another at her breast.

8. I asked her why she loitered there,
When the night-wind was so chill;
She turned her head, and bade the child
That screamed behind, be still;-

9. Then told us that her husband served,
A soldier, far away,

And therefore to her parish she
Was begging back her way.

10. I turned me to the Rich man then,
For silently stood he-

"You asked me why the Poor complain,
And these have answered thee!"

WOMAN.

ROBERT SOUTHEY.

O woman! in our hours of ease,
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please,
And variable as the shade

By the light quivering aspen made;
When pain and anguish wring the brow,
A ministering angel, thou!

7

SCOTT.

DWARD the Sixth, then thirteen years of age, ruled in “Merrie England" in 1550, and the festivities of his coronation were of the most varied and entertaining description.

2. The sixth of January was the gayest and busiest day of all. At early dawn there was hammering, and clinking, and industrious stir in the palace yard; for a Tourney, the crowning spectacle of those warlike times, was to be held.

3. The King and the chief members of his council overlooked the scene from a window of the palace, and at other windows were gathered the ladies of the court. The heralds sounded the challenge, and announced that Sir Henry Sydney, Sir Henry Nevil, and Sir Henry Gates, gentlemen of valor and prowess, were ready to break a lance with all comers.

4. After the challenge had been proclaimed, the three knights rode slowly along the barrier, bowing to the King and the ladies. Down one side of the barrier and up the other they rode abreast, until they reached their starting point, when they reined in their steeds, and waited an answer to the challenge.

5. Three times a trumpet sounded, and a herald announced that several valiant lords were willing to ride a course and break a lance with the challengers. Then

eighteen knights also rode down the course, bowing to the King, and acknowledging the smiles and greetings of the ladies, and reined up at the other end of the barrier, opposite the challenging knights.

6. The King lifted a gilded staff, and dropped it as a signal that the Tourney might begin. The heralds sounded the charge, and, like two thunder-bolts, Sir Henry Sydney and the Lord Fitzwalter dashed at each other, lance in rest, from opposite sides of the barrier.

7. They met in the center. The lance of Lord Fitzwalter struck his opponent full on the steel breast-plate, and was shivered to pieces. That of Sir Henry Sidney struck Lord Fitzwalter's helmet, and threw him to the ground. The ladies waved their scarfs and handkerchiefs, the King clapped his hands in delight, and the successful knight rode proudly back to his place.

8. Next came Sir Henry Nevil, and Sir George Howard. The latter was also struck in the head, but his helmet fastenings gave way, and he rode on bareheaded. One after the other the three challengers met the defendants, and after much riding and many hard. thrusts, all were unhorsed, except Sir Henry Sydney, of the challengers, and Sir William Stafford, of the defendants.

9. Great was the excitement as the trumpet sounded the charge for these two. There was a sudden crash. The two horses were thrown back on their haunches, but the riders sat unmoved, holding the stumps of their shivered lances. The King dropped his staff as a sign that the contest should cease, but the two knights rode up to the window and begged permission for the joust to continue until one or the other was defeated. The King was delighted and gave the desired permission.

10. The knights rode back to their places. Again the trumpets sounded, and again they hurled themselves upon each other. But neither fell. The lance of one was shattered, the helmet of the other was broken from its fastenings; but both rode erect and firm. Fresh lances were then supplied, and again the knights dashed toward each other.

11. This time fortune favored Sir Henry Sydney. The lance of his rival struck the visor of his helmet, but glanced off. His lance struck his opponent full in the face, and bore him to the earth. Then the trumpets sounded a victory, and shouts went up from hundreds of throats. The ladies dropped scarfs and ribbons on the successful knight as he passed under the window; and when he made obeisance to the King, Edward presented to him his own ring.

J. U. A. BOON.