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Then out came the Spider, with fingers so fine,
To show his dexterity on the tight line;

From one branch to another his cobwebs he slung,
Then as quick as an arrow he darted along.

But just in the middle-O, shocking to tell!From his rope in an instant poor Harlequin fell; Yet he touch'd not the ground, but with talons outspread,

Hung suspended in air at the end of a thread.

Then the Grasshopper came with a jerk and a spring,Very long was his leg, though but short was his wing;

He took but three leaps, and was soon out of sight,
Then chirped his own praises the rest of the night.

With step so majestic the Snail did advance,
And promised the gazers a minuet to dance;
But they all laughed so loud that he pulled in his
head,

And went in his own little chamber to bed.

Then as evening gave way to the shadows of night, The watchman, the Glow-worm, came out with his

light:

Then home let us hasten while yet we can see,
For no watchman is waiting for you and for me.

Roscoe.

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UPON a tree there mounted guard
A veteran Cock, adroit and cunning;
When to the roots a Fox uprunning
Spoke thus, in tones of kind regard:
"Our quarrel, brother, 's at an end;
Henceforth I hope to live your friend;
For peace now reigns

Throughout the animal domains.
I bear the news. Come down, I pray,
And give me the embrace fraternal:
And please, my brother, don't delay;

So much the tidings do concern all, That I must spread them far to-day,

How you and yours can take your walks
Without a fear or thought of hawks;
And should you clash with them or others,
In us you'll find the best of brothers.
For which you may, this joyful night,
Your merry bonfires light:

But first, let's seal the bliss
With one fraternal kiss."

"Good friend," the Cock replied, "upon my word A better thing I never heard; And doubly I rejoice

To hear it from your voice:

And really there must be something in it, For yonder come two greyhounds, which, I flatter

Myself, are couriers on this very

matter:

They come so fast, they'll be here in a minute; I'll down, and all of us will seal the blessing With general kissing and caressing."

"Adieu," said Fox, "my errand's pressing; I'll hurry on my way,

And we'll rejoice some other day."

So off the fellow scamper'd, quick and light,
To gain the fox-holes of a neighbouring height,
Less happy in his stratagem than in his flight.

THE RAILROAD.

THROUGH the mould and through the clay,
Through the corn and through the hay,
By the margin of the lake,

O'er the river, through the brake,

O'er the bleak and dreary moor,—
On we hie with screech and roar.
Splashing! flashing!
Crashing! dashing!

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Highways,

Byways,

Hollow hill:

Jumping-bumping—
Rocking-roaring

Like forty thousand giants snoring.

O'er the aqueduct and bog
On we fly with ceaseless jog;
Every instant something new,
Every moment lost to view:
Now a tavern-now a steeple-
Now a crowd of gaping people-
Now a hollow-now a ridge-
Now a crossway—now a bridge.

Glimpse of lonely hut and mansion,
Glimpse of ocean's wide expansion,
Glimpse of foundry and of forge,
Glimpse of plain and mountain gorge.
Dash along!

Slash along!
Flash along!

On, on with a jump,

Ánd a bump,

And a roll,

Hies the fire-fiend to its destined goal!

THE COUNCIL OF HORSES.

A TROOP of horses met in state
On weighty matters to debate;
When, stepping forth before the rest,
A fiery colt the throng address'd:

"Alas, how abject is our race, Condemn'd to bondage and disgrace! Shall we our slavery retain,

Because our sires have borne the chain?
Consider, friends, your strength and might;
"Tis conquest to assert your right.
How cumbrous is the gilded coach!
The pride of man is our reproach.
Were we design'd for daily toil,-
To drag the ploughshare through the soil,
To sweat in harness through the road,
To
groan beneath the carrier's load?
How feeble are the two-legg'd kind!
What force is in our nerves combin'd!
Shall, then, our nobler jaws submit
To foam and champ the galling bit?
Shall haughty man my back bestride?
Shall the sharp spur provoke my side?
Let man the lion first control,
And still the tiger's famish'd growl.
Let us, like them, our freedom claim,
And make him tremble at our name.'

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A general nod approv'd the cause, And all the circle neigh'd applause. When lo, with grave and solemn tread, An aged steed advanc'd and said:

"When I had health and strength, like you, The toils of servitude I knew;

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