94 MADOC DISCOVERING AMERICA.

Chains him, and tasks him, and exacts his

sweat

With stripes, that Mercy with a bleeding heart,

Weeps when she sees inflicted on a beast. And what is man? And what man seeing

this,

And having human feelings, does not blush,
And hang his head, to think himself a man?
I would not have a slave to till my ground,
To carry me, to fan me while I sleep,
And tremble when 1 wake, for all the wealth
That sinews bought and sold have ever earn'd.
No: dear as freedom is, and in my heart's
Just estimation prized above all price,
I had much rather be myself the slave,
And wear the bonds; than fasten them on

him.

Cowper.

MADOC DISCOVERING AMERICA.

Three dreadful nights and days we drove along;

The fourth, the welcome rain came pattering

down,

MADOC DISCOVERING AMERICA.

95

The wind had fallen, and through the broken cloud

Appeared the bright dilating blue of heaven. Embolden'd now I call'd the mariners:

Vain were it we should bend a homeward course,

Driven by the storm so far: they saw our barks

For service of that long and perilous way
Disabled, and our food belike to fail.
Silent they heard, reluctant to assent;
Anon, they shouted joyfully,

look'd

* *

And saw a bird slow sailing overhead, His long white pinions by the sunbeam edg'd

As though with burnish'd silver; * *

never yet

Heard I so sweet a music as his cry!

I

96

LITTLE GLEANRR.

Or seem'd to breathe, fresh fragrance from

the shore.

On the last evening a long shadowy line
Skirted the sea;

closed in!

* *

how fast the night

I stood upon the deck, and watch'd till dawn. But who can tell what feelings filled my

THE LITTLE GLEANER.

Very fair the child was, with hair of darkest auburn,

Fair and yet sunburnt with the golden sum

mer;

Sunshine seem'd the element from which she drew her being,

Careless from her little hand the gathered ears are scatter'd,

In a graceful wreath the purple corn-flowers binding

THE WOODMAN.

97

While her sweet face brightens with a sudden pleasure.

Blame not her binding: already stir within her

All the deep emotions in the love of nature,— Love, that is the source of the beautiful and holy.

In long-after years will memory, recalling Sweetness undying from the early garland, Keep the heart glad with natural devotion. 'Tis a true, sweet lesson; for in life's actual harvest,

Much we need the flowers that mingle with our labours.

Pleasures, pure and simple, recall us to their Giver;

For ever in its joy does the full heart think of heaven.

L. E. L.

THE WOODMAN.

Alone he works-his ringing blows
Have banished bird and beast;

The Hind and Fawn have cantered off
A hundred yards at least;

98

THE WOODMAN.

And on the maple's lofty top,
The linnet's song hath ceased.

The Woodman's heart is in his work,
His axe is sharp and good:
With sturdy arm and steady aim
He smites the gaping wood;
From distant rocks

His lusty knocks

Re-echo many a rood.

Aloft upon his poising steel

The vivid sunbeams glance-
About his head and round his feet
The forest shadows dance;
And bounding from his russet coat,
The acorn drops askance.

His face is like a Druid's face,
With wrinkles furrowed deep,
And tanned by scorching suns as brown
As corn that 's ripe to reap;

But the hair on brow, and cheek, and chin
Is white as wool of sheep.

His frame is like a giant's frame;

His legs are long and stark;