Sanders' Union Fourth Reader Part 60

LESSON Lx.x.xIII.

UN SPOT' TED, pure; unstained.

FAL' TER, fail.

TRA' CER Y, traces; impressions.

IM' PRESS, mark: stamp.

DO MIN' ION, authority; predominance.

SHRINK, withdraw.

PUR SU' ING, following.

STERN ER, harsher; more rigid.

DE FY', dare; challenge.

WHO' SO, any person whatever.

TO' KEN, sign; indication.

BROTH' ER HOOD, fraternity.

THE LIFE-BOOK.

HOME JOURNAL.

1. Write, mother, write!

A new, unspotted book of life before thee, Thine is the hand to trace upon its pages The first few characters, to live in glory, Or live in shame, through long, unending ages!

Write, mother, write!

Thy hand, though woman's, must not faint nor falter: The lot is on thee,--nerve thee then with care,-- A _mother's tracery_ time may never alter; Be its first impress, then, the breath of prayer!

Write, mother, write!

2. Write, father, write!

Take thee a pen plucked from an eagle's pinion, And write _immortal actions_ for thy son; Teach him that man forgets man's high dominion, Creeping on earth, leaving _great deeds_ undone!

Write, father, write!

Leave on his life-book a fond father's blessing, To s.h.i.+eld him 'mid temptation, toil, and sin.

And he shall go to glory's field, possessing _Strength to contend, and confidence to win_.

Write, father, write!

3. Write, sister, write!

Nay, shrink not, for a sister's love is holy!

Write words the angels whisper in thine ears,-- No bud of sweet affection, howe'er lowly, But planted here, will bloom in after years.

Write, sister, write!

Something to cheer him, his rough way pursuing, For manhood's lot is sterner far than ours; He may not pause,--he must be up and doing, Whilst thou sitt'st idly, dreaming among flowers.

Write, sister, write!

4. Write, brother, write!

Strike a bold blow upon those kindred pages,-- Write; shoulder to shoulder, brother, we will go; Heart linked to heart, though wild the conflict rages, We will defy the battle and the foe.

Write, brother, write!

We who have trodden boyhood's path together, Beneath the summer's sun and winter's sky, What matter if life brings us some foul weather, We may be stronger than adversity!

Write, brother, write!

5. Fellow immortal, write!

One G.o.d reigns in the Heavens,--there is no other,-- And _all mankind are brethren_--thus 'tis spoken,-- And whoso aids a sorrowing, struggling brother, By kindly word, or deed, or friendly token, Shall win the favor of our heavenly Father, Who judges evil, and rewards the good, And who hath linked the race of man together, In one vast, universal brotherhood!

Fellow immortal, write!

QUESTIONS.--1. What may the mother write in the Life-Book? 2. What, the father? 3. What, the sister? 4. What, the brother? 5. What may all write?

LESSON Lx.x.xIV.

ODE, short poem.

PA TER' NAL, coming by inheritance.

AT TIRE', clothing; raiment.

UN CON CERN' ED LY, without care.

REC RE A' TION, amus.e.m.e.nt.

IN' NO CENCE, freedom from guilt.

MED I TA' TION, contemplation.

UN LA MENT' ED, unmourned.

ODE ON SOLITUDE.

POPE.

Written when the author was twelve years of age.

1. Happy the man whose wish and care A few paternal acres bound, Content to breathe his native air In his own ground.

2. Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread, Whose flocks supply him with attire; Whose trees in summer yield him shade, In winter fire.

3. Blest who can unconcern'dly find Hours, days, and years glide soft away, In health of body, peace of mind, Quiet by day.

4. Sound sleep by night; study and ease, Together mixed; sweet recreation; And innocence, which most doth please With meditation.

5. Thus let me live, unseen, unknown; Thus unlamented let me die; Steal from the world, and not a stone Tell where I lie.

QUESTIONS.--1. Who, did the writer think, were happy? 2. How did he wish to live and die? 3. a.n.a.lyse the word _recreation_, (RE _back_; CREATION, _act of bringing into life_;) act of bringing back to life; a reviving.

LESSON Lx.x.xV.

AD MI RA' TION, esteem.

FRA TER' NAL, brotherly.

IN SIG NIF' I CANCE, worthlessness.

CRIT' IC AL, perilous.

THOR' OUGH LY, completely; fully.

COM PRE HEND', understand.

CON VIC' TION, strong belief.

COM PE TI' TION, strife; rivalry.

EM U LA' TION, compet.i.tion.