The Poetical Works of William Lisle Bowles - LightNovelsOnl.com
You're reading novel online at LightNovelsOnl.com. Please use the follow button to get notifications about your favorite novels and its latest chapters so you can come back anytime and won't miss anything.
THE VILLAGER'S VERSE-BOOK.
PATH OF LIFE.
1 O Lord, in sickness and in health, To every lot resigned, Grant me, before all worldly wealth, A meek and thankful mind!
2 As, life, thy upland path we tread, And often pause in vain, To think of friends and parents dead, Oh, let us not complain!
3 The Lord may give or take away, But nought our faith can move, Whilst we to heaven can look and say, Our Father lives above.
SUNRISE.
1 When from my humble bed I rise, And see the morning sun, That, glorious in the eastern skies, Its journey has begun,
2 I think of the Almighty Power Which called this...o...b..from night; I think how many at this hour Rejoice beneath its light.
3 And then I pray, in every land, Where'er this light is shed, That all who live may bless the Hand Which gives their daily bread.
SUMMER'S EVENING.
1 As homeward by the evening star I pa.s.s along the plain, I see the taper's light afar, s.h.i.+ne through our cottage pane.
2 My brothers and my sisters dear, The child upon the knee, Spring when my hastening steps they hear, And smile to welcome me.
3 But when the fire is growing dim, And mother's labours cease, I fold my hands, repeat my hymn, And lay me down in peace.
SPRING--CUCKOO.
1 The bee is humming in the sun, The yellow cowslip springs, And, hark! from yonder woodland's side Again the cuckoo sings!
2 Cuckoo, cuckoo, no other note She sings from day to day; But I, though a poor cottage girl, Can work, and read, and pray.
3 And whilst in knowledge I rejoice, Which heavenly truth displays, Oh! let me still employ my voice In my Redeemer's praise.
SHEEPFOLD.
1 The sheep were in the fold at night, And now a new-born lamb Totters and trembles in the light, Or bleats beside its dam.
2 How anxiously the mother tries, With every tender care, To screen it from inclement skies, And the cold morning air!
3 The hailstorm of the east is fled, She seems with joy to swell, Whilst ever as she bends her head, I hear the tinkling bell.
4 So while for me a mother's prayer Ascends to heaven above, May I repay her tender care With grat.i.tude and love!
HEN AND CHICKENS.
1 See, sister, where the chickens trip, All busy in the morn!
Look how their heads they dip and dip, To peck the scattered corn!
2 Dear sister, shall we shut our eyes, And to the sight be blind, Nor think of HIM who food supplies To us and all mankind?
3 Whether our wants be much or few, Or fine or coa.r.s.e our fare, To Heaven's protecting care is due The voice of praise and prayer.
POOR MAN'S GRAVE.
1 Old Andrews of the hut is dead, And many a child appears, Whilst slowly "dust to dust" is read, Around his grave in tears.
2 A good man gone where small and great, And poor, and high and low, And Dives, proud in worldly state, And Lazarus, must go.
3 May we among the just be found, Though short our sojourn here, Who, when the trump of death shall sound, May hear it without fear!
SABBATH MORNING.
1 The Sabbath bells are knolling slow, The summer morn how fair!
Whilst father, mother, children go, And seek the house of prayer.
2 Some, musing, roam the churchyard round, Some turn their heads with sighs, And gaze upon the new-made ground Where old Giles Summers lies.
3 But see the pastor in his band, The bells have ceased to knoll; Now enter, and at G.o.d's command, Think, Christian, of thy soul.
4 Whilst heavenly hopes around thee s.h.i.+ne, As in G.o.d's presence live, And calmer comforts shall be thine, Than all the world can give.
THE PRIMROSE.
1 'Tis the first primrose! see how meek, Yet beautiful, it looks; As just a lesson it may teach As that we read in books.
