I saw thee first, when hope arose And thou wast lovelier than the light Who then could dream, that health and joy So bright with varying lustre once, - That brow! how proudly o'er it then, When wit, or eloquence, or mirth, Thy mind! it ever was the home Kindness, and peace, and virtue, there, One evening, when the autumn dew And Hesperus far down the west Thou said'st how sadly and how oft To that prophetic eye, And early death were nigh. It was a voice from other worlds, The amaranth flowers that bloom in heaven, The crown that shines immortally, Is beaming on thy brow; The seraphs round the burning throne To dwell among the saints on high, [This piece forms an example of lively style requiring spirited utterance, free, flowing “expression,” brisk “movement,” and all the other natural characteristics of animated and gay conversation. In the reading of such pieces, it is important to guard the style of enunciation against colloquial negligence.] DID ever it come in your way to pass You saw how its roots had grasped the ground, As if it had felt the earth went round, And fastened them down, with determined will To keep it steady, and hold it still.Its aged trunk, so stately and strong, Has braved the blasts as they've rushed along, Its head has towered, and its arms have spread, While more than a hundred years have fled! Well, that old elm, that is now so grand, 'Twas the peaceful close of a summer's day; Its glorious orb had passed away; The toil of the field, till the morn, had ceased, For a season of rest to man and beast. The mother had silenced her humming wheel, The father returned, for the evening meal, The thanks of one who had chosen the part Of the poor in spirit, the rich in heart, The good old man in his chair reclined, At an humble door, with a peaceful mind, While the drops from his sunburnt brow were dried By the cool, sweet air of the eventide. The son from the yoke had unlocked the bow, Dismissing the faithful ox to go And graze in the close. He had called the kine He'd gathered and numbered the lambs and sheep, And the clear cold water came up to chase It is not recorded how long he staid To take from his feeling of loneliness, And make the length of his way seem less: He thought it was strange, that the treacherous moon And, whether the eyes of the girl had made Or not, it certainly seemed to him, That each grew distant, and small, and dim; For he did not know what fearful sight An Elm grew close by the cottage eaves; So he plucked him a twig well clothed with leaves, And sallying forth with the supple arm,— To serve as a talisman parrying harm, He felt that, though his heart was so big, 'Twas even the stouter for having the twig For this, he thought, would answer to switch The horrors away, as he crossed the ditch, The meadow and copse, wherein, perchance, Will-o'-the-wisp might wickedly dance; And wielding it, keep him from feeling a chill At the menacing sound of " Whip-poor-will!" And his flesh from creeping, beside the bog, At the harsh, bass voice of the viewless frog: In short, he felt that the switch would be Guard, plaything, business, and company! When he got safe home, and joyfully found To stand as a monument marking the spot It helped him to reach; and, what was still more, The twig took root; and as time flew by, But many and many a year has fled And owns the power that shall level all The works that the hand of man hath wrought, [An example of animated conversational style, requiring attention, principally, to easy, lively, and fluent utterance.] Of all the conditions of men, — and I have mingled with every variety, I believe that none is so independent as that of an industrious, frugal, and sober farmer. None affords more the means of contentment and substantial enjoyment; none, where early education has not been neglected, presents better opportunities for moral and intellectual improvement; none calls more loudly for religious gratitude; none is suited to give a more lively and deeper impression of the goodness of God. |