Part 40

Your blunderer is as sturdy as a rock, The creature is so sure to kick and bite, A muleteer’s the man to set him right. First appetite enlists him truth’s sworn foe, Then obstinate self-will confirms him so. Tell him he wanders; that his error leads To fatal ill; that though the path he treads Be flowery, and he see no cause of fear, Death and the pains of hell attend him there. In vain the slave of arrogance and pride, He has no hearing on the prudent side. His still refuted quirks he still repeats; New raised objections with new quibbles meets; Till sinking in the quicksand he defends, He dies disputing, and the contest ends.

Cowper.

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A set o’ dull conceited hashes, Confuse their brains in college classes! They gang in stirks, and come out asses, Plain truth to speak; An’ syne they think to climb Parnassus By dint o’ Greek. Gie me a spark o’ Nature’s fire, That’s a’ the learning I desire; Then tho’ I drudge thro’ dub an’ mire At pleugh or cart, My muse, tho’ hamely in attire, May touch the heart.

Burns.

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The man who looks around him as he walks Sees objects often wonderful and new; And he who thinks while his companion talks In time may grow the wiser of the two. An open eye--a quick, attentive ear Will lead the mind into the ways of knowledge; For all the world’s a universal college, And every one may be a learner here. Experience is the teacher: dear, indeed, Her charges are to thoughtless folks and fools; But those who follow carefully her rules The various tongues of nature learn to read. Who seldom ploughs his mind shall reap but little; Weeds quickly overspread the fallow soil; The toiler may be wearied by his toil, But it shall yield sufficiency of victual, Enough for his own use, and much to spare. To him who hath, abundance shall be given; From him who squanders wastefully his share, All that he has shall righteously be riven: The world shall make a proverb of his name, And he shall fill a sepulchre of shame.

MacKellar.

OAK GERANIUM.... Friendship.

The Oak Geranium does not present so beautiful an appearance as the scarlet variety; but the pale blue colour of the flower, and the length of time which it continues in bloom, endear it to us as the emblem of true friendship.

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What though on Love’s altar the flame that is glowing Is brighter?--yet Friendship’s is steadier far! One wavers and turns with each breeze that is blowing, And is but a meteor,--the other’s a star! In youth Love’s light Burns warm and bright, But dies ere the winter of age be past,-- While Friendship’s flame Burns ever the same, And glows but the brighter, the nearer its last!

Anon.

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Thanks to my stars, I have not ranged about The wilds of life, ere I could find a friend: Nature first pointed out my brother to me, And early taught me, by her sacred force, To love thy person, ere I knew thy merit, Till what was instinct grew up into friendship. Ours has severest virtue for its basis, And such a friendship ends not but with life.

Addison.

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O! Friendship! in thy constant ray, My heart is cheered and cannot sink, Though gloom and storm around me play And I am pressed to death’s cold brink!

Peerbold.

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The friend Who smiles when smoothing down the lonely couch, And does kind deeds, which any one can do Who has a feeling spirit,--such a friend Heals with a searching balsam.

Percival.

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Delightful is an evening’s cheerful chat With pleasant friends, especially to one Who has been long away. The minutes run With speed that all the talkers marvel at. So much to talk about--so much to tell-- So many sleeping memories to awaken-- The various fates that absent friends befell-- Whom time has spared, and whom the grave has taken; The tear to shed for those who’ve passed away-- The sigh to breathe for those who’ve gone astray-- Our times of darkness, and our days of light-- Our purposes and plans for coming years-- Our heavenly hopes, our earthly human fears-- And lo! ’tis time to say, “Good-night, dear friends, good-night!”

MacKellar.

TUBEROSE.... Dangerous Love.

The superb Tuberose is a native of the East Indies and South America, and was introduced into Europe in 1632. It has since spread all over the world. The flower is of a white colour, sometimes tinged with a blush of pink. Its perfume is delicious and powerful; but if you would enjoy it without danger, keep at some distance from the plant. If you come with the object of your affection to inhale its perfume by moonlight, when the nightingale is pouring forth its ravishing melody, these odours will add an inexpressible charm to your enjoyment; but, if, regardless of the precepts of moderation, you approach too near, this divine flower will then be but an enchantress who will pour a dangerous poison into your bosom. Thus the love which comes from above purifies and exalts; but that which springs from earth debases and proves the bane of imprudent youth.

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