Life and Literature Part 32

--_Goethe._

428

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

429

Credit, like a looking-gla.s.s, broken once, is gone, alas!

430

He who doesn't take care of his credit will soon have none to take care of.

431

There are two directly opposite reasons why some men cannot get credit--one is because he is not known--the other because he is.

432

THE CRITIC.

The critic stood with scornful eye Before a picture on the wall: "You call this art? Now see that fly, It is not natural at all.

It has too many legs, its head Is far too large--who ever saw A fly like that, so limp and dead, And wings that look as if they--pshaw!"

And with a gesture of disgust He waved his hand, when lo! the fly Flew from the picture. "Ah! some dust,"

The critic said, "was in my eye."

--_Henry Coyle._

Some one has said that finding fault is done on a smaller capital than any other business, and it is a very fascinating business, too, for people of--small calibre.

433

A man must serve his time to every trade, Save censure; critics all are ready-made.

--_Byron._

434

The culture of a man is like the changing of raw material into the manufactured article. The uncultured man is comparatively helpless and worthless.

--_The Religious Telescope._

435

Curiosity! who hath not felt Its spirit, and before its altar knelt?

436

Custom forms us all; Our thoughts, our morals, our most fixed belief Are consequences of our place of birth.

--_Hill._

D

437

_Daughter._--To a father waxing old nothing is dearer than a daughter; sons have spirits of higher pitch, but less inclined to sweet endearing fondness.

--_Euripides._

438

BEREFT OF AN ONLY DAUGHTER.

This day my loved one leaves me, and my heart Is heavy with its grief: the streams of sorrow, Choked at the source, repress my faltering voice.

I have no words to speak; mine eyes are dimmed By the dark shadows of the thoughts that rise Within my soul. If such the force of grief In an old hermit parted from his nursling, What anguish must the stricken parent feel Bereft forever of an only daughter!

Weep not my daughter, check the gathering tear That lurks beneath thine eyelid, ere it flow And weaken thy resolve; be firm and true-- True to thyself and me, the path of life Will lead o'er hill and plain, o'er rough and smooth, And all must feel the steepness of the way, Tho' rugged be thy course, press boldly on.

Honor thy betters; even be respectful To those above thee. Should thy wedded lord Treat thee with harshness, thou must never be Harsh in return, but patient and submissive.

Be to thy menials courteous, and to all Placed under thee considerate and kind: Be never self-indulgent, but avoid Excess in pleasure; and, when fortune smiles Be not puffed up. Thus to thy husband's house Wilt thou a blessing prove, and not a curse.

439

See here it is dawning Another bright day: Think wilt thou let it Slip uselessly away?

440

He mourns the dead who lives as they desire.