Sanders' Union Fourth Reader Part 27

10. When mad AMBITION would seduce, The _right_ to overthrow, And turn the selfish pa.s.sions loose, In mercy answer,--No!

11. When foul CONTEMPT of Holy Writ Would in thy bosom sow The wish to be where scorners sit,[Footnote 2]

Let Conscience answer,--No!

12. When SIN, indeed, whate'er her style, Would have thee with her go; Stay not to hear the Sorceress vile, But leave her with a--No!

[Footnote 1: Prov., 11th Chap., 15th verse.]

[Footnote 2: 1st Psalm, 1st verse.]

LESSON XXVI.

PE RUSE', read; study.

AL LOT' TED, a.s.signed.

ME RID' I AN, noon; mid-day.

GEN' U INE, true; real.

ART' FUL, cunning; crafty.

MIM' ICK ED, pretended; counterfeited.

PRE SIDE', have sway or rule.

DE MER' IT, ill-desert; defect.

RU' BY, precious stone.

PUP' PET, little image.

DE TER' MINE, decide; find out.

ER' MINE, fine fur--(of the ermine.) CAP' TOR, one who takes a prize.

SCEP' TERS, emblems of authority.

CHA' RY, careful; wary.

MYS' TIC, secret; mysterious.

We have seldom seen any thing so full of wit, truth, and practical wisdom, as this poem inscribed.

TO MASTERS ROBERT AND JOHN.

1. Take this book, my boys, Earnestly peruse it; Much of after lies In the way ye use it: Keep it neat and clean; For, remember, in it, Every stain that's seen, Marks a thoughtless minute.

2. Life is like a book, Time is like a printer, Darting now his look Where has gloomed no winter.

Thus he'll look, and on, Till each page allotted, Robert, thee and John, Printed be or blotted.

3. Youth's a sunny beam, Dancing o'er a river, With a flas.h.i.+ng gleam, Then away forever.

Use it while ye may, Not in childish mourning,-- Not in childish play, But in _useful learning_.

4. As your years attain Life's meridian brightness, Hourly seek and gain _Genuine politeness:_ This lives not in forms, As too many teach us,-- Not in open arms, Not in silken speeches,

5. Not in haughty eye, Not in artful dealing, Not within the sigh Of a mimicked feeling: But its lights preside Rich in nature's splendor, Over honest pride, Gentleness and candor.

6. Slight ye not the soul For the frame's demerit; Oft a shattered bowl Holds a mighty spirit: Never search a breast By thy ruby's glances; Pomp's a puppet guest, Danced by circ.u.mstances.

7. What is good and great, Sense can soon determine; Prize it though ye meet, Or in rags or ermine.

Fortune's truly blind; Fools may be her captors; But the _wealth of mind_ Stands above their scepters.

8. Value not the lips Swiftest kept in motion, Fleetly-sailing s.h.i.+ps Draw no depth of ocean: s.n.a.t.c.h the chary gleam, From the cautious knowing For the deepest stream Scarcely lisps 'tis flowing.

9. Cull from bad and good Every seeming flower, Store it up as food For some hungry hour: Press its every leaf, And remember, Johnny, Even weeds the chief May have drops of honey.

10. Pomp and power alone Never make a blessing; Seek not e'en a throne By one wretch distressing.

Better toil a slave For the blood-earned penny, Than be rich, and have A curse on every guinea.

11. Think, my gentle boys, Every man a brother!

_That's where honor lies,_ Nay, but _greatness_ rather: One's the mystic whole, Lordly flesh won't know it; But the kingly soul, Sees but vice below it.

12. Robert, thoughts like these, Store you more than money; Read them not to please, But to practice, Johnny.

Artless though their dress, As an infant's dimple, _Truth is none the less_ _For being truly simple._

QUESTIONS.--1. What did the writer tell Robert and John to do with the book, given them? 2. What use did he tell them to make of Youth?

LESSON XXVII.

AV A RI'' CIOUS, greedy after gain.

IN' TI MATE, close in friends.h.i.+p.

EA' GER NESS, ardent desire.

FRU GAL' I TY, wise economy.

AC QUI SI'' TIONS, gains.

AF' FLU ENCE, great wealth.

SUC' CES SION, regular order.

MOIL' ING, drudging; laboring.

DIS CON TIN' U ED, ceased.

AS SI DU' I TY, untiring diligence.

DIS GUST' ED, greatly dissatisfied.

IN DULG' ED, gratified.

MON' STROUS, very large.

SUC CEED' ING, following.

MAT' TOCK, pick-ax.

UN DER MINE', dig under.

O' MEN, sign; token.

IM AG' IN ED, conceived.

WHANG, THE MILLER.

GOLDSMITH.

1. Whang, the miller, was naturally avaricious; n.o.body loved money better than he, or more respected those that had it. When people would talk of a rich man in company, Whang would say, "_I_ know him very well, _he_ and _I_ have been very long acquainted; _he_ and _I_ are intimate."

2. But, if a poor man was mentioned, he had not the least knowledge of the man; he might be very well, for aught _he_ knew; but he was not fond of making many acquaintances, and loved to choose his company.

3. Whang, however, with all his eagerness for riches, was poor. He had nothing but the profits of his mill to support him; but, though these were small, they were certain: while it stood and went, he was sure of eating; and his frugality was such, that he, every day, laid some money by; which he would, at intervals, count and contemplate with much satisfaction.