Upon the raft, amidst the foam, What made a barren rock so dear, My boy he had a country there, My Father. And who, then, dropt a prescient tear? My Father. Who, now, in pale and placid light, My Father. O teach me still thy Christian plan! My Father. Still let thy scholar's heart rejoice, Who was it when we both were young, My Sister For me would run about all day, My Sister. When I would read of Robin Hood, Or little Children in the Wood, Who was it call'd me kind and good? My Sister. And when one day ('twas wrong I know) I trod on grandpapa's sore toe, Who strove to shelter me from woe? For she would cry if I was beat, And when to school I went to stay, My Sister. My Sister. My Sister. For it was ever our delight, To love cach other day and night, Nor would I do a thing to spite My Sister For naughty boys and girls, 'tis true, My Sister, For thou wert always kind to me, And it will my ambition be, To prove a faithful friend to thee, My Sister. To guard from hurt thy tender frame, My Sister. For well I know thou wouldst disdain, O! may it be thy precious choice, My Sister. Our aged parents to rejoice, And sooth them with thy tender voice, My Sister. And may that sacred power above, Still fill thy heart with filia! love, My Sister. MY BROTHER. Who shar'd with me our parents' love, My Brother. Who strove to give my heart delight, My Brother, For he was never ride or rough, My Brothe And if perchance he heard me cry, My Brothe And who would tell me pleasing tales, My Brother. He made me love my books indeed, And when a present he had got, My Brother. My Brother. Then I do love thee very well, My Brother. For well I know thee void of guile, My Brother. For thou wert always good and kind, My Brother. O! may I live to see thee rise My Brother. May virtue be thy constant guest, My Brother. A CATECHISM IN VERSE FOR CHILDREN. 1. Q. Who is the Maker of all things? 2. Q. Did you derive your being from him? He made me by his powerful word: 3. Q. Wherein does your soul differ from your body? Which thinks, and hopes, and joys, and grieves, 4. Q. What then should you consider as your chief end, and the principal business of your life? 4. Sure it consists in this alone, That God, my Maker, may be known; And form my actions by his will |