"The rage of hunger" being appeased', I began to think of my horse. He however', like an old campaigner', had taken good care of himself. I found him paying assiduous attention to the crib of Indian corn^, and dexterously drawing forth and munching the ears that protruded between the bars. It was with great regret that I interrupted his repast, which he abandoned with a heavy sigh', or rather a rumbling groan. I was anxious, however, to rejoin my traveling companions, who had passed by the farm-house without stopping, and proceeded to the banks of the Arkansas^, being in the hopes of arriving before night at the Osage Agency. Leaving the captain and his troop, therefore, amidst the abundance of the farm, where they had determined to quarter themselves for the night, I bade adieu to our sable hostess, and again pushed forward. LESSON LXXVI. AN ENIGMA. Anapestic. Two feet and four, with an iambus or spondes occasionally substituted. 1. YE philosophers, hark`! My complexion is dark`! Reflection and silence my character mark. 2. No record on earth' Discovers my birth. Long reigned I in solitude, silence, and dearth. But my 3. I travel away' In sombre array: turbans and sandals are silvery gray. 4. Majestic my mien', And my dark form is seen' All sparkling in gems', like an African queen. 5. One pearl that I wear' Is more brilliant and raré Than the loveliest gem in a princess's hair. 6. My stature is tall, But at seasons I crawl^, Or shrink myself almost to nothing at all. And o'er 7. Invisibly hurled', I traverse the world', every land is my standard unfurled. Round the icy-bound polè : And long the wide region endures my control 9. From earliest time' I was grave and sublimè : But often am made the accomplice of crime. With visions and dreams', And wild tales of terror', my favorite themes. And eagerly watch for my coming again': Deals out, at my bidding, a soft anodynè. 13. My sister down there^, Is transcendently fair', But we never once happened to meet any where. Her banners of gold! Then I must away with my story half told. LESSON LXXVII. FRIENDSHIP. Iambic. Four feet and three; the latter with an additional short syllable. 1. WHAT virtue can we namé, or grace^ And dulness of discretion. 2. But as the gem of richest cost' Employs the utmost skill he can', 3. Youth', unadmonished by a guide', For who' but learns', with riper years', 4. No friendship will abide the test' 5. A fretful temper will divide' 6. How bright soe'er the prospect seems', An envious man', if you succeed', But not a friend worth keeping. 7. As envy pines at good possessed', And hates him for encroaching. 8. Hence authors of illustrious name', 9. A man', renowned for repartee',* * Rep-ar-tee. With friendship's finest feeling; 10. Beware of tattlers`; keep your ear' 11. Some fickle creatures boast a soul' 12. Religion should extinguish strife^, But even those who differ' How fiercely will they meet' and chargè! 13. The man who hails you Tom, or Jack', 14. Some friends make this their prudent plan- So barren sands imbibe the shower, 15. These samples' (for, alas`! at last' May prove the task' a task indeed', 16. Pursue the themè, and you shall find' To be at least expedient`; LESSON LXXVIII. THE RETIRED CAT. Iambic. Four feet in a line. A POET's Cat, sedate and gravé For nooks to which she might retire'; Or else she learned it of her master. Lodged with convenience in the fork', And ready to be borne to court. But love of change, it seems, has place' Not only in our wiser race^; 25 Cats' also feel, as well as wē', 30 Was cold and comfortless within: * Pronounced by the poet, yu-ten-sil; the two last syllables short and unaccented. |