Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1843 edition. Excerpt: ... LXXXV. WITHERED LEAVES. "We all do fade as a leaf."--Isa. Lxiv. 6. I. When autumn winds have swept above, And strewed with death the plain, Some scattered trees in every grove Their withered leaves retain. Ii. The oak, and, oftener still, the beech, With foliage curled and sere Half covered o'er are seen, while each Have leafless kindred near. lit. No eye can trace why these are bare, And those are clothed yet: The winds have whistled every where, And warred with all they met. IV. 'Twouldseem, despite the blast, were left, Where every eye might scan, The more for branches round bereft, A warning still for man. He might forget what death has wrought, And what he yet will do, Were all his victims sunk to nought; So some remain in view. Mortal, awake! each withered leaf, So lightly hung on high, Reminds thee that thy day is brief, And says--" Prepare to die!" VII. "Prepare to die!" that warning sent Is wisdom's voice from Heaven; For life, however else 'tis spent, To learn to die was given. VIII. This, this our one great work below--And oh! if finished well, What mind the bright reward can know? What seraph's lips could tell? IX. But, haply, thoughts of coming death But gloom and sadness give: Then, hear another voice which saith, "Awake, arise, and live." x. Gaze not upon the wintry boughs, With mournful symbols rife; But turn thee now while heaven allows, And view "the tree of life." XI. Behold, how beautiful it grows! That foliage withers never: Oh pluck by faith the fruit it shows, And eat, and live for ever! LXXXVI. THE JACKDAWS. (a Tale Founded On Fact.) Nigras inter aves avis est, quae plurima turres, Antiquas sedes, celsaque fana colit. Nil tarn sublime est, quod non audace volatu, Aeriis spernens inferiora, petit. Vincent Bourse I....
