Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though in solemn silence, all THE RAINBOW. JOHN KEBLE. A FRAGMENT of a rainbow bright An hour ago the storm was here, So will our joys and grief appear, Grief will be joy if on its edge THE HOUSEKEEPER. CHARLES LAMB. THE frugal snail, with forecast of repose, Touch but a tip of him, a horn — 'tis well,- He's his own landlord, his own tenant; stay And his sole riches. Wheresoe'er he roam,- THE LION AND THE CUB. JOHN GAY. A LION cub, of sordid mind, Avoided all the lion kind; Fond of applause, he sought the beasts Of vulgar and ignoble feasts; With asses all his time he spent, He caught their manners, looks, and airs; If e'er his Highness meant a joke, They grinn'd applause before he spoke; But at each word what shouts of praise; "Goodness! how natural he brays!" Elate with flattery and conceit, He seeks his royal sire's retreat; Forward and fond to show his parts, His Highness brays; the lion starts. "Puppy! that curs'd vociferation Betrays thy life and conversation : Coxcombs, an ever-noisy race, Are trumpets of their own disgrace." "Why so severe ?" the cub replies; "Our senate always held me wise!" "How weak is pride," returns the sire: "All fools are vain when fools admire! But know, what stupid asses prize, Lions and noble beasts despise." THE TIGER. WILLIAM BLAKE. TIGER, tiger, burning bright In what distant deeps or skies ? On what wings dare he aspire And what shoulder, and what art What the hammer, what the chain, Did He who made the lamb make thee? THE KITTEN AND FALLING LEAVES. WILLIAM WORDSWORTH. SEE the kitten on the wall, Sporting with the leaves that fall, Through the calm and frosty air But the kitten, how she starts, In her upward eye of fire! Lets it go as fast, and then Has it in her power again: Now she works with three or four, Like an Indian conjuror; Quick as he in feats of art, Far beyond in joy of heart. APRIL IN ENGLAND. ROBERT BROWNING. EXTRACT. Он, to be in England Now that April's there, And whoever wakes in England Sees, some morning, unaware, That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf |