A WISH. MINE be a cot beside the hill; A bee-hive's hum shall soothe my ear; A willowy brook that turns a mill, With many a fall shall linger near. The swallow, oft, beneath my thatch Shall twitter from her clay-built nest; Oft shall the pilgrim lift the latch, And share my meal, a welcome guest. Around my ivied porch shall spring Each fragrant flower that drinks the dew; And Lucy, at her wheel, shall sing In russet-gown and apron blue. The village-church among the trees, Where first our marriage-vows were given, With merry peals shall swell the breeze And point with taper spire to Heaven. LOSS OF THE ROYAL GEORGE. Eight hundred of the brave A land-breeze shook the shrouds Weigh the vessel up Her timbers yet are sound, A TRANQUIL MORNING AFTER A STORM. THERE was a roaring in the wind all night; The rain came heavily, and fell in floods; But now the sun is rising calm and bright; The birds are singing in the distant woods; Over his own sweet voice the stock-dove broods! The jay makes answer as the magpie chatters; And all the air is filled with pleasant All things that love the sun are out of noise of waters. doors; The sky rejoices in the morning's birth ; The grass is bright with raindrops ; on the moors The hare is running races in her mirth ; And with her feet she from the plashy earth Raises a mist, that, glittering in the sun, Runs with her all the way wherever she doth run. THE BEGGAR MAN. AROUND the fire, one winter night, The farmer's rosy children sat; The faggot lent its blazing light, And jokes went round, and careless chat. When, hark ! a gentle hand they hear Low tapping at the bolted door; And thus to gain their willing ear, A feeble voice was heard t'implore : · Cold blows the blast across the moor; The sleet drives hissing in the wind : Yon toilsome mountain lies before; A dreary treeless waste behind. “My eyes are weak and dim with age; |