XL. TIME SPENT IN DRESS. In many a lecture, many a book, You all have heard, you all have read, That time is precious. Of its use Much has been written, much been said. There's not a more productive source Without some calculation, youth Takes half the time they give to dress. Write in your memorandum book The time you at your toilette spend; And ever when your silent thoughts Set down as nearly as you can How long on dress your thoughts were bent. H If faithfully you should perform This task, 'twould teach you to repair Lost hours, by giving unto dress Not more of time than its due share. XLI. TO AN EARLY SWALLOW. WILD tenant of the changeful year, That, borne upon the southern wind Across the ocean's distant waves, Would'st here a sheltering region find: Too soon, alas! from brighter climes In hoary Winter's palsied lap The infant Spring all cradled lies, While round the nursling's tender form The bitter storms unpitying rise. To melt the tears that freeze his eyes And gentle May, in sable garb, Seeks with slow steps his mournful bower; And sadden in the silent grove The leafless tree, and lingering flower. For thee, amid the noontide beam, No goss'mer floats along the vale; And fled the various insect tribes, Behind yon mountain's misty brow Then turn thee to my humble cell, And Summer suns shall smile again. Thus would I soothe Misfortune's child, XLII. FRIENDSHIP. THERE IS A FRIEND more tender, true Than Brother e'er can be; Who, when all others bid adieu, Remains-the last to flee; Who, be their pathway bright or dim, The heart, by Him sustain'd, though deep In nature's weakness, sorrow's night, He is the Friend, who changeth not Whether on earth our transient lot In joy or grief, contempt or fame, XLIII. TRUE VALUe of life. AH! when did Wisdom covet length of days, A spark which upward tends by Nature's force; A pilgrim panting for the rest to come; |