The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles Volume Ii Part 26

THE VILLAGER'S VERSE-BOOK.

PATH OF LIFE.

1 O Lord, in sickness and in health, To every lot resigned, Grant me, before all worldly wealth, A meek and thankful mind!

2 As, life, thy upland path we tread, And often pause in vain, To think of friends and parents dead, Oh, let us not complain!

3 The Lord may give or take away, But nought our faith can move, Whilst we to heaven can look and say, Our Father lives above.

SUNRISE.

1 When from my humble bed I rise, And see the morning sun, That, glorious in the eastern skies, Its journey has begun,

2 I think of the Almighty Power Which called this...o...b..from night; I think how many at this hour Rejoice beneath its light.

3 And then I pray, in every land, Where'er this light is shed, That all who live may bless the Hand Which gives their daily bread.

SUMMER'S EVENING.

1 As homeward by the evening star I pa.s.s along the plain, I see the taper's light afar, s.h.i.+ne through our cottage pane.

2 My brothers and my sisters dear, The child upon the knee, Spring when my hastening steps they hear, And smile to welcome me.

3 But when the fire is growing dim, And mother's labours cease, I fold my hands, repeat my hymn, And lay me down in peace.

SPRING--CUCKOO.

1 The bee is humming in the sun, The yellow cowslip springs, And, hark! from yonder woodland's side Again the cuckoo sings!

2 Cuckoo, cuckoo, no other note She sings from day to day; But I, though a poor cottage girl, Can work, and read, and pray.

3 And whilst in knowledge I rejoice, Which heavenly truth displays, Oh! let me still employ my voice In my Redeemer's praise.

SHEEPFOLD.

1 The sheep were in the fold at night, And now a new-born lamb Totters and trembles in the light, Or bleats beside its dam.

2 How anxiously the mother tries, With every tender care, To screen it from inclement skies, And the cold morning air!

3 The hailstorm of the east is fled, She seems with joy to swell, Whilst ever as she bends her head, I hear the tinkling bell.

4 So while for me a mother's prayer Ascends to heaven above, May I repay her tender care With grat.i.tude and love!

HEN AND CHICKENS.

1 See, sister, where the chickens trip, All busy in the morn!

Look how their heads they dip and dip, To peck the scattered corn!

2 Dear sister, shall we shut our eyes, And to the sight be blind, Nor think of HIM who food supplies To us and all mankind?

3 Whether our wants be much or few, Or fine or coa.r.s.e our fare, To Heaven's protecting care is due The voice of praise and prayer.

POOR MAN'S GRAVE.

1 Old Andrews of the hut is dead, And many a child appears, Whilst slowly "dust to dust" is read, Around his grave in tears.

2 A good man gone where small and great, And poor, and high and low, And Dives, proud in worldly state, And Lazarus, must go.

3 May we among the just be found, Though short our sojourn here, Who, when the trump of death shall sound, May hear it without fear!

SABBATH MORNING.

1 The Sabbath bells are knolling slow, The summer morn how fair!

Whilst father, mother, children go, And seek the house of prayer.

2 Some, musing, roam the churchyard round, Some turn their heads with sighs, And gaze upon the new-made ground Where old Giles Summers lies.

3 But see the pastor in his band, The bells have ceased to knoll; Now enter, and at G.o.d's command, Think, Christian, of thy soul.

4 Whilst heavenly hopes around thee s.h.i.+ne, As in G.o.d's presence live, And calmer comforts shall be thine, Than all the world can give.

THE PRIMROSE.

1 'Tis the first primrose! see how meek, Yet beautiful, it looks; As just a lesson it may teach As that we read in books.