When rock'd amid the shrouds, or on And in his spot of garden ground, Were round his cabin hung,-his hours, And there were charts and soundings, made And storm-stones from the sky; Old Simon had an orphan been, E'en from his childhood was he seen Four years on board a merchantman He knew, from pastoral St Lucie To palmy Trinidad.† But sterner life was in his thoughts, When 'mid the sea-fight's jar, Stoop'd Victory from the batter'd shrouds, 'Twas then he went-a volunteer On board a man-of-war. Through forty years of storm and shine, To where frost locks the Polar Seas * Camperdown, a village of the Netherlands, 27 miles N. W. of Amsterdam, in the North Sea, celebrated for Admiral Duncan's victory over the Dutch fleet, 11th Oct. 1797. Two islands in the Windward group, West Indies. I recollect the brave old man- He comes again-his varnish'd hat, His bronzed and weather-beaten cheek, Yon turfen bench the veteran loved, And lighted up his faded face, It was a music to his ear, To list the seamew's wail! Oft would he tell, how, under Smith, Eager to beat the boastful French, And plied their deadly shots, intrench'd Behind their bags of sand. And when he told how through the Sound, They pass'd the Cronberg batteries, To quell the Dane in fight,— But chiefly of hot Trafalgar The brave old man would speak; And when he show'd his oaken stump, A glow suffused his cheek, While his eye fill'd-for wound on wound Had left him worn and weak. Ten years, in vigorous old age, Tranquil as falls the snow on snow Life's lot to him was dealt; But came infirmity at length, And slowly o'er him stealt. * Lord Nelson, the celebrated English Admiral, born in 1758, entered the navy when 12 years of age, rapidly gained distinction, and was, in 1797, made Rear-Admiral. He annihilated the fleet which had conveyed the French into Egypt, in the Bay of Aboukir, 1799. He, as Vice-Admiral, conducted the fleet against Copenhagen, 1801. He destroyed the united French and Spanish fleets at Cape Trafalgar, 21st October 1805, but paid for the victory with his life. We miss'd him on our seaward walk, "Twas harvest time;-day after day Thus did he weaken and he wane, He made them prop him in his couch, And now he watch'd the moving boat, Welcome as homestead to the feet And, breathing peace to all around, 1. Why did our tar build his cottage on the mount? 2. Why placed he a vane on the roof? 3. What plants were found in his garden? 4. What were hung round his cabin? 5. Name the three celebrated navigators. 6. What curiosities had he collected? 7. Give us the history of Simon when a boy. 8. Where did he sail when serving his time? 9. What "sterner life" is meant? 10. Where went he then? 11. Give the appearance of the brave old man. 12. What seat was his favourite one. and why? 13. In what battles had Simon been under Smith ?-under Nelson? 14. How many years of health had he in his cottage? 15. What disease at last made him bedfast? 16. Tell me how our poor old tar was when harvest came round. 17. What hour brings home the bird and the bee! 18. On what did he gaze when propped in his chair? 19. What came welcome to old Simon's cabin? REMEMBRANCES. 1 REMEMBER, I remember, THOMAS HOOD. The little window, where the sun I remember, I remember, The roses red and white, I remember, I remember, Where I was used to swing, And thought the air would rush as fresh My spirit flew in feathers then, And summer pools could hardly cool I remember, I remember, The fir trees dark and high; I used to think their slender spires It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm farther off from heaven, THE CHRISTIAN PAUPER'S DEATHBED. Im-mor'tal, adj. (L. in mors). CAROLINE SOUTHEY, Ag'on-ized, adj. (Gr. agōn) TREAD Softly-bow the head- Stranger! however great, With lowly rev'rence bow: Greater than thou. Beneath that beggar's roof, Lo! Death doth keep his state. Enter-no guards defend That pavement, damp and cold, No mingling voices sound- That short deep gasp, and then- Oh! change-oh, wondrous change! Burst are the prison bars. This moment there, so low, So agonized and now, Oh! change-stupendous change! 1. Why is the entrance to the pauper's dwelling called a palace-gate? 2. What king holds court within? 6. What has parted with that groan? 7. What prison bars are burst? 8. What was there a moment since in agony, and is now beyond the stars? 9. What were Christ's words to the penitent thief on the cross? BALLAD OF ROSABELLE. OH listen, listen, ladies gay; SIR WALTER SCOTT. No haughty feat of arms I tell; Soft is the note, and sad the lay, Moor, moor the barge, ye gallant crew! The blackening wave is edged with white; * Isle. |