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2. When reposing that night on my pallet of straw, By the wolf-scaring fagot that guarded the slain, At the dead of the night a sweet vision I saw,

And thrice ere the morning I dreamt it again.

3. Methought from the battle-field's dreadful array, Far, far I had roamed on a desolate track; 'Twas autumn-and sunshine arose on the way To the home of my fathers, that welcomed me back.

4. I flew to the pleasant fields traversed so oft

In life's morning march, when my bosom was young; I heard my own mountain-goats bleating aloft,

And knew the sweet strain that the corn-reapers

sung.

5. Then pledged we the wine-cup, and fondly I swore, From my home and my weeping friends never to

part;

My little ones kissed me a thousand times o'er,

And my wife sobbed aloud in her fullness of heart.

6. "Stay, stay with us!-rest; thou art weary and worn!"
And fain was their war-broken soldier to stay;
But sorrow returned with the dawning of morn,
And the voice in my dreaming ear melted away
Thomas Campbell.

FOR PREPARATION.-I. Note, in the biography of this author, his connection with soldier-life and battles. His lyrics are esteemed among the best in the language.

II. Făg'-ot, guärd'-ed (gärd'-), vĭş'-ion (vizh'un), au'-tumn (aw'tum), sōl'-dier (-jer).

III. Difference between "lowered" and "lowered" in meaning? (to lōwer another, to lower, itself). What two words compose welcomed? "Bleating "—is its sound expressive of its meaning?

IV. Truce, pallet, desolate, “fondly I swore" (i. e., without careful consideration, rashly), fain.

V. Note the figure of speech in the second line: "The sentinel stars," etc. (how natural for the soldier!) "Thrice ere the morning" (the repetition of the dream supposed to indicate its sure fulfillment). Note, again, the figure: "In life's morning march,” etc. "Goats bleating aloft" (in the upland pastures). ""Twas autumn "-why? accident, or poet's choice? (The next two verses describe autumn scenes.) Note the exquisite fitness of metre for the expression of the sense and tone of feeling: "Our bu-gles sang truce; for the night-cloud had low-ered”: ~-|~~~|~~~|

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Note the pathetic element in this poem, and compare it with that in Mrs. Hemans's Adopted Child or Dimond's Mariner's Dream (in the Fourth Reader). Contrast the serene heights, elevated above the region of the pathetic, in XII.: How sleep the Brave? and in The Burial of Sir John Moore (both patriotic pieces); the religious plane of thought and feeling is still further removed from the pathetic. The artlessness with which this piece is put together, the lack of motives in one part for what is introduced in another, leads to the supposition that the poet described a real dream.

IX.-DR. PRIMROSE IN PRISON.

1. The next morning I communicated to my wife and children the scheme I had planned of reforming the prisoners, which they received with universal disapprobation, alleging the impossibility and impropriety of it; adding that my endeavors would in no way contribute to their amendment, but might probably disgrace my calling.

2. "Excuse me," returned I, "these people, however fallen, are still men, and that is a good title to my affections. Good counsel rejected returns to enrich the giver's bosom; and though the instruction I communicate may not amend them, yet it will assuredly mend myself.

3. "If these wretches, my children, were princes, there would be thousands ready to offer their ministry; but, in my opinion, the heart that is buried in a dungeon is as precious as that seated upon a throne. Yes, my

treasures, if I can mend them, I will; perhaps they will not all despise me. Perhaps I may catch up even one from the gulph, and that will be a great gain; for is there upon earth a gem so precious as the human soul?"

4. Thus saying I left them, and descended to the common prison, where I found the prisoners very merry, expecting my arrival; and each prepared some gaol-trick to play upon the doctor. Thus, as I was going to begin, one turned my wig awry, as if by accident, and then asked my pardon.

5. A second, who stood at some distance, had a knack of spitting through his teeth, which fell in showers on my book. A third would cry "Amen!" in such an affected tone as gave the rest great delight. A fourth had slyly picked my pocket of my spectacles. But there was one whose trick gave more universal pleasure than all the rest; for, observing the manner in which I had disposed my books on the table before me, he very dexterously displaced one of them, and put an obscene jest-book of his own in the place.

6. However, I took no notice of all that this mischievous group of little beings could do, but went on, perfectly sensible that what was ridiculous in my attempt would excite mirth only the first or second time, while what was serious would be permanent. My design succeeded; and in less than six days some were penitent, and all attentive.

7. It was now that I applauded my perseverance and address at thus giving sensibility to wretches divested of every moral feeling, and now began to think of doing them temporal services also, by rendering their situation somewhat more comfortable. Their time had hitherto

been divided between famine and excess, tumultuous riot and bitter repining.

8. Their only employment was quarreling among each other, playing at cribbage, and cutting tobacco stoppers. From this last mode of idle industry I took the hint of setting such as chose to work at cutting pegs for tobacconists and shoemakers, the proper wood being bought by a general subscription, and, when manufactured, sold by appointment; so that each earned something every day: a trifle, indeed, but sufficient to maintain him.

9. I did not stop here; but instituted fines for the punishment of immorality, and rewards for peculiar industry. Thus, in less than a fortnight, I had formed them into something social and humane, and had the pleasure of regarding myself as a legislator, who had brought men from their native ferocity into friendship and obedience.

Oliver Goldsmith.

FOR PREPARATION.-I. A selection from "The Vicar of Wakefield "; portrays the most amiable, humane, and pious soul in English literature. A vein of refined, genial humor runs under it all.

II. Coun'-sel (distinguished from eoun'-çil), dŭn'-geon, (-jun), gulph (antiquated spelling of gulf), gãol (jāl) (also jail), knăck (năk), mis'-chiev-ous, (-che-vus), ob-sçene', per-se-ver'-ançe, shoe'-māk-ers.

III. Signification of dis in disapprobation, disgrace, displaced ;—of im in impossibility and impropriety ;-de in descended (de down, scended = climbed); sensibility (ability to feel, tenderness of heart).

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IV. Scheme, alleging, awry, dexterously, ridiculous, diverted, repining, tumultuous, cribbage, tobacconists, sold by appointment.

V. Note the quality of the sayings of Dr. Primrose-almost as pithy and felicitously expressed as proverbs: "These people, however fallen, are still men;""Good counsel rejected returns to enrich the giver's bosom; """Is there upon earth a gem so precious as the human soul?" Note the depth of his faith and the stability of his character in the reflection that (6) "what was ridiculous in my attempt would excite mirth only the first or second time, while what was serious would be permanent."

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1. At the close of the day, when the hamlet is still, And mortals the sweets of forgetfulness prove, When naught but the torrent is heard on the hill, And naught but the nightingale's song in the grove, 'Twas thus, by the cave of the mountain afar,

While his harp rang symphonious, a hermit began ; No more with himself or with Nature at war,

He thought as a sage, though he felt as a man:

2. "Ah! why, all abandoned to darkness and woe,
Why, lone Philomela, that languishing fall?
For spring shall return, and a lover bestow,
And sorrow no longer thy bosom enthral.
But, if pity inspire thee, renew the sad lay:

Mourn, sweetest complainer-man calls thee to
mourn!

O, soothe him whose pleasures like thine pass away! Full quickly they pass-but they never return.

3. "Now, gliding remote on the verge of the sky,

The moon, half extinguished, her crescent displays; But lately I marked when majestic on high

She shone, and the planets were lost in her blaze. Roll on, thou fair orb, and with gladness pursue

The path that conducts thee to splendor again! But man's faded glory what change shall renew? Ah, fool! to exult in a glory so vain!

4. ""Tis night, and the landscape is lovely no more. I mourn-but, ye woodlands, I mourn not for you; For morn is approaching your charms to restore, Perfumed with fresh fragrance, and glittering with dew.

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