The lion would not leave her desolate, FROM THE RUINS OF TIME. O VAIN world's glory, and unstedfast state Why then doth flesh, a bubble-glass of breath, With so great labour, and long-lasting pain, Look back, who list, unto the former ages, And call to count what is of them become : Where be those learned wits, and antique sages, Which of all wisdom knew the perfect sum? Where those great warriours which did overcome The world with conquest of their might and main, And made one meare (b) of the earth and of their reign ? High towers, fair temples, goodly theatres, Where my high steeples whilom used to stand, On which the lordly falcon wont to tower, There now is but a heap of lime and sand, For the screech-owl to build her baleful bower : And, where the nightingale wont forth to pour Her restless plaints, to comfort wakeful lovers, There now haunt yelling mews and whining plovers. O trustless state of miserable men! That build your bliss on hope of earthly thing, And vainly think yourselves half happy, then When painted faces, with smooth flattering, Do fawn on you, and your wide praises sing! And when the courting masker louteth low, Him true in heart and trusty to you trow ! All is but feigned, and with oker dy'd shower will wash and wipe away; That every (b) Boundary. All things do change that under heaven abide, And after death all friendship doth decay : Therefore, whatever man bear'st worldly sway, Living, on God and on thyself rely; For, when thou diest, all shall with thee die. THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS. AND is there care in heav'n ? and is there love To serve to wicked man,-to serve his wicked foe. How oft do they their silver bowers leave, ALEXANDER HUME. ALEXANDER HUME, a younger son of the noble house of Polwarth, is supposed to have been born about the year 1546. He studied law in France, but abandoned that pursuit for the church. He died, it is supposed, about the end of the century. THANKS FOR A SUMMER'S DAY. O PERFECT light which shaid (a) away And set a ruler o'er the day, Thy glory, when the day forth flies, Nor (b) at midday unto our eyes The shining sun is clear. The shadow of the earth anon Removes and drawis by, Syne (c) in the east, when it is gone, Appears a clearer sky. Whilk (d) soon perceive the little larks, The lapwing, and the snipe, And tune their song like Nature's clerks, O'er meadow, muir, and stripe. (a) For shaded. (b) Scotticè for than. (c) Then. (d) Which. The golden globe incontinent Sets up his shining head, And o'er the earth and firmament For joy the birds with boulden (ƒ) throats, Take up their kindly music notes Upbraids (h) the careful husbandman, The pastor quits the slothful sleep, The passenger, from perils sure, The misty reek, (m) the clouds of rain (e) Abroad. (h) Uprises. (4) Lowing kine. (f) Emboldened. (i)) Early. (m) Fog. (g) Shining. (k) Flat-nosed. |