His mother, who sat at her work by the fire,
To Alfred's request thus replied:
"Come, listen to me, and I'll soon tell you how,
The difficult point to decide.
"Wherever the sun rises, there is the east,
Now that is both easy and clear;
Wherever at ev'ning he sets from your view,
The west, my beloved, is there.
| to follow pa. 40 |
| Alfred |
| to follow pa. 41 |
| William |
"Now you know where to find both the west and the east,
We soon shall discover the rest:
To the left is the south, to the right is the north,
When your face is turn'd full to the west."
WILLIAM.
"My dear," cried his mother to William one day,
As glowing and panting with heat,
The parlour he enter'd in haste and alarm,
And threw himself down on a seat:
"My dear, what misfortune has hurried you now,
And brought you so soon from your play?
Have you lost your new ball in the field or the pond?
Or has your kite flown far away?"
"My ball, my dear mother, is safe in my desk,
My kite rides secure in the air;
But I brought a poor boy, whom I left in the hall,
And who claims your attention and care.