Now reach thine hand! the boatman cried, The child stretch'd forth his little hands Then William shriek'd; the hand he touch'd The boat sunk down, the murderer sunk He rose, he scream'd, no human ear ST. MICHAEL'S CHAIR, AND WHO SAT THERE. MERRILY, merrily rung the bells, The bells of St. Michael's tower, Richard Penlake was a cheerful man, Cheerful, and frank, and free, But he led a sad life with Rebecca his wife, Richard Penlake a scolding would take, Then Richard Penlake his crab-stick would take, Rebecca his wife had often wish'd To sit in St. Michael's chair; It chanced that Richard Penlake fell sick, "Now hear my prayer, St. Michael! and spare My husband's life," quoth she; "And to thine altar we will go, Six marks to give to thee." Richard Penlake repeated the vow, "Save me, St. Michael, and we will go, When Richard grew well, Rebecca his wife Merrily, merrily rung the bells, The bells of St. Michael's tower, When Richard Penlake and Rebecca his wife Arrived at the church door. Six marks they on the altar laid, Up the tower Rebecca ran, Round and round and round; "A curse on the ringers for rocking "A blessing on St. Michael's chair!" Merrily, merrily, rung the bells, And Rebecca was shook to the ground. Tidings to Richard Penlake were brought "Now shall we toll for her poor soul The great church bell?" they said. “Toll at her burying," quoth Richard Penlake, "Toll at her burying," quoth he; "But don't disturb the ringers now, In compliment to me." THE DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM. THE rage of Babylon is rous'd, The king puts forth his strength; And points her arrows for the coming war. Her walls are firm, her gates are strong, High are her chiefs in hope, For Egypt soon will send the promised aid. But who is he whose voice of woe Is heard amid the streets? Whose ominous voice proclaims Her strength and arms and promised succours vain? His meagre cheek is pale and sunk, Wild is his hollow eye, Yet fearful its strong glance; And who could bear the anger of his frown? Prophet of God! in vain thy lips Proclaim the woe to come! In vain thy warning voice Summoned her rulers timely to repent! The Ethiop changes not his skin. The rulers spurn thy voice, And now the measure of their crimes is full. And now around Jerusalem The countless foes appear; Spreads the wide horror of the circling siege. Why is the warrior's cheek so pale? Who late so high of heart Made sharp his javelin for the welcome war? "Tis not for terror that his eye Swells with the struggling woe; Oh! he could bear his ills, Or rush to death, and in the grave have peace His parents do not ask for food, Her wretched meal,-she utters no complain The consummating hour is come! Alas for Solyma! How is she desolate, She that was great among the nations fallen! And thou-thou miserable king- Thy flock so beautiful, Thy father's throne, the temple of thy God? Repentance calls not back the past; Or bring back vision to thy blasted sight! Thou wretched, childless, blind, old man— Heavy thy punishment! Dreadful thy present woes Alas, more dreadful thy remember'd guilt! THE SPANISH ARMADA. CLEAR shone the morn, the gale was fair, To England's shores their streamers point, Along the ocean's echoing verge, Commingling with the ocean's roar The watch-tower now in distance sinks, And now Galicia's mountain rocks Faint as the far-off clouds of evening lie, And now they fade away. Each like some moving citadel, On through the waves they sail sublime; O fools! to think that ever foe For not in vain hath nature rear'd On come her gallant mariners! What now avail Rome's boasted charms? Where are the Spaniard's vaunts of eager wrath? His hopes of conquest now? |