RAIN AFTER DROUGHT. A FEW short hours ago, and all the land Lay, as in fever, faint and parched with And so had lain, while many a weary day The juiceless fruits fell from the dusty trees; The hot streets sickened in the burning glare; A million drops are flashing in the sun; The springs far down the upper wonder know; The farmer laughs, and little cares how fast Through his torn hat the cooling streamlets flow. And all the fields and pastures seem to say, With joyous smile that I shall ne'er forget, And all the flowers and trees in chorus join, "We knew 'twould come; He never failed us yet." God of my life, as God of all beside, This lovely wonder, which thy hand hath wrought, Quickens in thought the mercies manifold For I have lain, full oft, as hot and dry Then, at thy word, down fell thy spirit rain; But mine, alas! was not the holy faith The parched earth felt through all her thirsty hours; I was in fear that never more again Should I be quickened by the heavenly powers. So shall it be no more; but, though I lie JOHN W CHADWICK. THE FLY'S LECTURE. NCE on a time, when tempted to repine, ONC In yon green nook I nursed a sullen theme, A fly lit near me, lovelier than a dream, With burnished plates of sight, and pennons fine: In that lone spot, where I had come to grieve: And served with light by two metallic eyes CHARLES TURNER. L' EACH AND ALL. ITTLE thinks, in the field, yon red-cloaked Of thee from the hill-top looking down; Stops his horse, and lists with delight, Whilst his files sweep round yon Alpine height; Nor knowest thou what argument I thought the sparrow's note from heaven, I brought him home, in his nest, at even ; But the poor, unsightly, noisome things Had left their beauty on the shore, With the sun, and the sand, and the wild uproar. Then I said, "I covet truth ; Beauty is unripe childhood's cheat; I leave it behind with the games of youth." As I spoke, beneath my feet The ground-pine curled its pretty wreath, I inhaled the violet's breath; Around me stood the oaks and firs; Over me soared the eternal sky, |