“Waking Song,”—George Darley.
George Darley, a noted Irish poet and critic, was born in Dublin, July 7, 1795, and died near Rome, November 23, 1846. He wrote: “Sylvia, or the May Queen,” “Nepenthe,” “Errors of Extasie and Other Poems,” and numerous studies of other men’s work.
There’s a hope for every woe,
And a balm for every pain,
But the first joys of our heart
Come never back again!
“The Exile’s Song,”—Robert Gilfillan.
Robert Gilfillan, a renowned Scotch poet, was born in Dumfermline, July 7, 1798, and died at Leith, December 4, 1850. His “Original Songs” have made him famous, the best known of the collection being: “In the Days o’ Langsyne,” “Peter McCraw,” and “The Exile’s Song.”
The opinion of the strongest is always the best.
“The Wolf and the Lamb,” from “Fables,” Book I, Fable 10,—Jean de La Fontaine.
Jean de La Fontaine, the great French fabulist and poet, was born at Château-Thierry, in Champagne, July 8, 1621, and died in Paris, April 13, 1695. His principal works were: “Stories and Novels,” “Adonis,” “The Loves of Psyche,” and his celebrated “Fables.”
They love their land because it is their own,
And scorn to give aught other reason why;
Would shake hands with a king upon his throne,
And think it kindness to his Majesty.
“Connecticut,”—Fitz-Greene Halleck.