THE RAVEN. A CHRISTMAS TALE, TOLD BY A SCHOOL-BOY TO HIS LITTLE BROTHERS, AND SISTERS. UNDERNEATH a huge oak tree There was, of swine, a huge company, Then they trotted for the wind grew high: away, One acorn they left, and no more might you spy. Next came a Raven, that liked not such folly: Flew low in the rain, and his feathers not wet. By the side of a river both deep and great. He went high and low, Over hill, over dale, did the black Raven go. Many Autumns, many Springs At length he came back, and with him a She, The boughs from the trunk the woodman did sever; And they floated it down on the course of the river. They sawed it in planks, and its bark they did strip, And with this tree and others they made a good ship. The ship, it was launched; but in sight of the land Such a storm there did rise as no ship could withstand. It bulged on a rock, and the waves rushed in fast: The old Raven flew round and round, and cawed to the blast. He heard the last shriek of the perishing souls- Right glad was the Raven, and off he went fleet, And Death riding home on a cloud he did meet, And he thank'd him again and again for this treat: They had taken his all, and REVENGE WAS SWEET! ABSENCE. A FAREWELL ODE ON QUITTING SCHOOL FOR WHERE graced with many a classic spoil CAM rolls his reverend stream along, I haste to urge the learned toil Illumed by PASSION's orient rays, song: When Peace, and Cheerfulness, and Health Ah fair Delights! that o'er my soul And scatter livelier roses round. |