What a world of mèrriment their melody foretells ! II. Middle. 1. But true expression, like the unchanging sùn, 2. "T is education forms the common mind; Just as the twig is bént, the trèe 's inclined. 3. As Cæsar loved me, I weèp for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was váliant, I hònor him; but as he was ambítious, I slèw him. III. Low. 1. Hark! from the battlements of yonder tower, 2. The curfew tolls the knell of parting dày ; The lowing herd winds slowly o'er the lea; 3. Of old hast Thou laid the foundations of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall pérish, but Thou shalt endùre; yea, àll of them shall wax old, like a gàrment; as a vèsture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same; and thy years shall have no end. "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." NEHEMIAH, VIII. 8. THE FIFTH READER. I I. - THE FISH I DIDN'T CATCH. REMEMBER my first fishing-excursion as if it were but yesterday. I have been happy many times in my life, but never more intensely so than when I received that first fishing-pole from my uncle's hand, and trudged off with him through the woods and meadows. 2. It was a still, sweet day of early summer; the long afternoon shadows of the trees lay cool across our path; the leaves seemed greener, the flowers brighter, the birds merrier, than ever before. 3. My uncle, who knew by long experience where were the best haunts of pickerel, considerately placed me at the most favorable point. I threw out my line as I had so often seen others do, and waited anxiously for a bite, moving the bait in rapid jerks on the surface of the water, in imitation of the leap of a frog. Nothing came of it. "Try again," said my uncle. 4. Suddenly the bait sank out of sight. "Now for it," thought I; "here is a fish at last." I made a strong pull, and brought up a tangle of weeds. Again and again I cast out my line with aching arms, and drew it back empty. I looked to my uncle appealingly. "Try once more," he said; "we fishermen must have patience." 5. Suddenly something tugged at my line, and swept off with it into deep water. Jerking it up, I saw a fine pickerel wriggling in the sun. Uncle!" I cried, looking back in uncontrollable excitement, “I've got a fish!” 6. "Not yet," said my uncle. As he spoke there was a plash in the water; I caught the arrowy gleam of a scared fish shooting into the middle of the stream; my hook hung empty from the line. I had lost my prize. 7. Overcome by my great and bitter disappointment, I sat down on the nearest hassock, and for a time refused to be comforted even by my uncle's assurance that there were more fish in the brook. He refitted my bait, and, putting the pole again in my hands, told me to try my luck once more. " 8. "But remember, boy," he said, with his shrewd smile, never brag of catching a fish until he is on dry ground. I've seen older folks doing that in more ways than one, and so making fools of themselves. It's no use to boast of anything until it's done, nor then, either, for it speaks for itself." 9. How often since I have been reminded of the fish I did n't catch! When I hear people boasting of a work as yet undone, and trying to anticipate the credit which belongs only to actual achievement, I call to mind that scene by the brookside; and the wise caution of my uncle in that particular instance takes the form of a proverb of universal application : "NEVER BRAG OF YOUR FISH BEFORE YOU CATCH HIM." J. G. Whittier. EXERCISE. READ THESE SENTENCES, FIRST AS GIVEN; THEN AGAIN, SUPPLYING WORDS OR PHRASES OF SIMILAR MEANING IN PLACE OF THOSE IN ITALICS. 1. I remember my first fishing-excursion. 2. I trudged off through the woods and meadows. 3. Suddenly the bait sank out of sight. 4. I cast out my line, and drew it back empty. 5. Suddenly something tugged at my line. 6. Jerking it up, I saw a fine pickerel wriggling in the sun. 10. I call to mind that scene by the brookside. 11. It's no use to boast of anything until it's done. |