As thou, O Earth! dost mingle with the music of the spheres ;

For they must be prepared below to whom gold harps are given.

And have deep music in their souls to join the choir of heaven.

Goodwyn Barmby.

BOOKS.

That place which doth contain

My books, my best companions, is to me
A glorious court, where hourly I converse
With the old sages and philosophers.

Beaumont & Fletcher.

My never failing friends are they,
With whom I converse night and day.

With them I take delight in weal,
And seek relief in woe;

And, while I understand and feel
How much to them I owe,

My cheeks have often been bedew'd
With tears of thoughtful gratitude.

Sir E- Brydges.

They give

New views to life, and teach us how to live; They soothe the grieved; the stubborn they chastise;

Fools they admonish, and confirm the wise: Their aid they yield to all, they never shun The man of sorrow, or the wretch undone :Unlike the hard, the selfish and the proud, They fly not sullen from the suppliant crowd; Nor tell to various people various things, But show to subjects what they show to kings.

Crabbe.

The soul of song is in their deathless pages Even as the odour in the flower enshrin

ed

There the crowned spirits of departed ages

Have left the silent melodies of mind, Listen, oh, listen! let their high words cheer thee!

Their swan-like music ringing through all woes;

Let my voice bring their holy influence near

thee.

The Elysian air of their divine repose!

Mrs. Hemans.

MEANING OF THE LOOK.

151

THE MEANING OF THE LOOK.

"And the Lord turned and looked upon Peter."

I think that look of Christ might seem to

say

"Thou Peter! art thou then a common stone Which I at last must break my heart upon, For all God's charge, to his high angels,

may

Guard' my foot better?

Did I yesterday Wash thy feet my beloved, that they should

run

Quick to deny me 'neath the morning sun ?-
And do thy kisses, like the rest, betray ?
The cock crows coldly.-Go, and manifest
A late contrition, but no bootless fear!
For when thy deathly need is bitterest,
Thou shalt not be denied, as I am here-
My voice, to God and angels, shall attest,-
Because I know this man, let him be clear."
E. B. Barrett.

EVENING.

Evening steals on nature's calm repose, Like death on beauty,-brightest at its close.

A lowly task was mine, O little book,
A simple toil, by pleasure overpaid
As, culling for thee Flowers of Poesy,
Through her fresh fields and woodlands
I have stray'd,

Rejoicing in their loveliness:-and now
I send thee forth-a many-hued bo-

quet

A sweet love-token to the children young ;Let thy fair leaves sing to them this fond lay:

"Come to the old haunts, where our kindred dwell:

We were but lowly ones in that bright train,

Yet the soft breeze played o'er us, as o'er them;

With theirs, our petals drank the gentle

rain;

And therefore are we lovely ;-for the air Of that sweet region breathes of Love and Peace,

Truth, Purity, and Beauty :-list our song Come with us, love us, live with us and these."