GEMS OF ENGLISH POETRY.

GEOFFREY CHAUCER.
Born, 1328; Died, 1400.

THE GOOD PARSON.

A TRUE good man there was there of religion,
Pious and poor-the parson of the town.
But rich he was in holy thought and work;
And thereto a right learned man; a clerk
That Christ's pure Gospel would sincerely preach,
And his parishioners devoutly teach.

Benign he was, and wondrous diligent,

And in adversity full patient,

As proven oft; to all who lack'd, a friend.
Loth for his tithes to ban or to contend,

At every need much rather was he found
Unto his poor parishioners around
Of his own substance and his dues to give ;
Content on little, for himself, to live.

Wide was his cure; the houses far asunder ;
Yet never failed he for rain or thunder,
Whenever sickness or mischance might call,
The most remote to visit, great or small,
And, staff in hand, on foot, the storm to brave.

This noble ensample to his flock he gave,
That first he wrought, and afterwards he taught
The word of life he from the Gospel caught;
And well this comment added he thereto,-
If that gold rusteth, what should iron do?
And if the priest be foul on whom we trust,
What wonder if the' unletter'd layman lust?
And shame it were in him the flock should keep,
To see a sullied shepherd, and clean sheep.
For sure a priest ensample ought to give
By his own cleanness how his sheep should live.
He never set his benefice to hire,
Leaving his flock acomber'd in the mire,
And ran unto London unto St. Paul's,
To seek himself a chauntery for souls,
Or with a brotherhood to be enroll'd;
But dwelt at home, and guarded well his fold,
So that it should not by the wolf miscarry ;
He was a shepherd, and no mercenary.

Though holy in himself, and virtuous,
He still to sinful men was mild and piteous;
Not of reproach imperious or malign;
But in his teaching soothing and benign.
To draw them on to heaven, by reason fair
And good example, was his daily care.
But were there one perverse and obstinate,
Were he of lofty or of low estate,
Him would he sharply with reproof astound.
A better priest is nowhere to be found.

He waited not on pomp or reverence,
Nor made himself a spicéd conscience.
The love of Christ and His apostles twelve
He taught but, first, he follow'd it himselve.
(Modernized by Dryden.)

EDMUND SPENSER.

Born, 1553; Died, 1599.

THE MINISTRY OF ANGELS.

AND is there care in heaven? And is there love
In heavenly spirits to these creatures base,
That may compassion of their evils move?

There is else much more wretched were the case
Of men than beasts: But O, the' exceeding grace
Of highest God, that loves His creatures so,
And all His works with mercy doth embrace,
That blessed angels He sends to and fro,
To serve to wicked man, to serve His wicked foe!

How oft do they their silver bowers leave,
To come to succour us that succour want!
How oft do they with golden pinions cleave
The flitting skies, like flying pursuivant,
Against foul fiends to aid us militant!

They for us fight, they watch and duly ward,
And their bright squadrons round about us plant;
And all for love, and nothing for reward:

O, why should heavenly God to man have such regard?

FROM "A HYMN OF HEAVENLY LOVE."

OUT of the bosom of eternal bliss,

In which He reigned with His glorious Sire,