GENERAL INVITATION.   Jenny consented; the day was named, The joyful news the Cock proclaimed. PARSON AND CLERK.   Together came the Rook and Lark, The one as Parson, t'other Clerk. THE WEDDING.   The Goldfinch gave the bride away, Who promis'd always to obey. PREPARING FOR THE FEAST.   The feathery tenants of the air Towards the Feast each gave a share. THE DINNER.   The jovial party din'd... more...

MEMOIR. Frederick William Thomas was the oldest child of E. S. Thomas and Anna his wife. He was born at Providence Rhode Island, but spent his earlier years at Charleston South Carolina, where Mr. E. S. Thomas resided and edited and published the Charleston City Gazette. While Frederick William was still young, Mr. Thomas removed to Baltimore Maryland, and there his son was educated and brought up to the profession of the law. Being... more...

Near the Sign of the BellLiv'd Jobson and NellAnd cobbling of Shoes was his tradeThey agreed very wellThe neighbors did tellFor he was a funny old blade.   But Jobson loved whiskeyWhich made him so friskeyHis noddle when once it got inThat frolick he mustAnd kick up a dustFor his customers cared not a pin.   The Parson did sendHis Shoes for to mendTo take him on Sunday to ChurchBut Jobson he sworeHe would cobble no moreTho'... more...

In old tales they tell us many wonders of heroes and of high courage, of glad feasting, of wine and of mourning; and herein ye shall read of the marvellous deeds and of the strife of brave men. There grew up in Burgundy a noble maiden, in no land was a fairer. Kriemhild was her name. Well favoured was the damsel, and by reason of her died many warriors. Doughty knights in plenty wooed her, as was meet, for of her body she was exceeding comely,... more...

PREFACE. It is singular that the first great age of English lyric poetry should have been also the one great age of English dramatic poetry: but it is hardly less singular that the lyric school should have advanced as steadily as the dramatic school declined from the promise of its dawn. Born with Marlowe, it rose at once with Shakespeare to heights inaccessible before and since and for ever, to sink through bright gradations of glorious decline... more...

BALLADE OF THE PRIMITIVE JEST "What did the dark-haired Iberian laugh at before the tall blondeAryan drove him into the corners of Europe?"—Brander Matthews I am an ancient Jest!Palaeolithic manIn his arboreal nestThe sparks of fun would fan;My outline did he plan,And laughed like one possessed,'Twas thus my course began,I am a Merry Jest! I am an early Jest!Man delved, and built, and span;Then wandered South and WestThe peoples Aryan,I... more...

INTRODUCTORY SONNET   A Sonnet is a moment's monument,—  Memorial from the Soul's eternity  To one dead deathless hour. Look that it be,  Whether for lustral rite or dire portent,  Of its own arduous fulness reverent:  Carve it in ivory or in ebony,  As Day or Night may rule; and let Time see  Its flowering crest impearled and orient.   A Sonnet is a... more...

One of R. Caldecott's Picture Books       FREDERICK WARNE & CO. Ltd. 1878       THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT       This is the House that Jack built.         This is the Malt,That lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Rat,That ate the Malt,That lay in the House that Jack built.  ... more...

This is the House that Jack built.   This is the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the Dog, that worried the Cat, that killed the Rat, that eat the Malt, that lay in the House that Jack built.   This is the... more...

ANONYMOUS. 1. Madrigal. Love not me for comely grace,For my pleasing eye or face;Nor for any outward part,No, nor for my constant heart:For those may fail or turn to ill,So thou and I shall sever:Keep therefore a true woman's eye,And love me still, but know not why;So hast thou the same reason stillTo doat upon me ever. 1609 Edition. MATTHEW ARNOLD. 2. The Forsaken Merman. Come, dear children, let us away;Down and away below.Now... more...