But swept within destruction's maw She sat and sung, with simple tongue, 5. An infant in untimely hour The parents own'd the hand of power Ah, wae's me! Thomas Smibert (1810 — 1854). ANNABEL LEE. 1. It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know And this maiden she lived with no other thought 2. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea; But we loved with a love which was more than love I and my Annabel Lee; With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. 3. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling So that her high-born kinsman came, To shut her up in a sepulchre In this kingdom by the sea. 4. The angels, not half so happy in heaven, Yes! that was the reason (as all men know That the wind came out of the cloud by night, 5. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of many far wiser than we And neither the angels in heaven above, 6. For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling-my darling--my life and my bride, Edgar Poe (1811 — 1849). GARDEN GOSSIP. ACCOUNTING FOR THE COOLNESS BETWEEN THE LILY AND 1. "I will tell you a secret,” the honey-bee said 2. "I would not betray her to any but you, But the secret is safe with a spirit so trueIt will rest in your bosom in silence profound.” The violet bent her blue eye to the ground: A tear and a smile in her loving look lay, While the light-winged gossip went whirring away. 3. "I will tell you a secret," the honey-bee said, And the young lily lifted her beautiful head"The violet thinks, with her timid blue eye, To pass for a blossom enchantingly shy; But for all her sweet manners, so modest and pure, She gossips with every gay bird that sings to her. 4. "Now let me advise you, sweet flower, as a friend, Oh, ne'er to such beings your confidence lend; It grieves me to see one, all guileless like you, Thus wronging a spirit so trustful and true: But not for the world, love, my secret betray!" And the little light gossip went buzzing away. 5. A blush in the lily's cheek trembled and fled : "I'm sorry he told me," she tenderly said; "If I mayn't trust the violet, pure as she seems, TO OCTOBER. 1. Gorgeous are thy woods, October! 2. Beauteous are thy rowan trees, glowing Beauteous are thy wild-rose bushes, 3. Sweet to see thy dark eyes peeping From the tangled blackthorn bough, Save when red breast's mournful lay 6. Saddest sounds are thine, October! O'er the pensive spirit stealing, 7. I do love thee, drear October! More than budding, blooming Spring, 8. Joyous hearts may love the summer, Bright with sunshine, song, and flower; But the heart whose hopes are blighted, In the gloom of woe benighted, Better loves thy kindred bower. 9. 'Twas in thee, thou sad October! Death laid low my bosom flower. Life hath been a wintry river Gleameth brightly since that hour. 10. Hearts would fain be with their treasure, Mine is slumb'ring in the clay; Wandering here alone, uncheery, Deem't not strange this heart should weary Hugh M'Donald (1817 - 1860). BABY'S SHOES. 1. O those little, those little blue shoes! That those shoes would buy, Those little blue unused shoes! 2. For they hold the small shape of feet That no more their mother's eyes meet, That by God's good-will, Years since grew still, And ceased from their totter so sweet! 3. And O, since that baby slept, So hush'd! how the mother has kept, That little dear treasure, And o'er them thought and wept! 4. For they mind her for evermore Of a patter along the floor, Look up from her knees, With the look that in life they wore. 5. As they lie before her there, There babbles from chair to chair A little sweet face, |