Library of the best American literature / Containing the lives of our authors in story form, their portraits, their homes, and their personal traits, how they worked and what they wrote; choice selections from eminent writers, embracing great American poets and novelists, foremost women in American letters, distinguished critics and essayists, our national humorists, noted journalists and magazine contributors, popular writers for young people, great orators and public lecturers

by Unknown

And as if strength were given him of God,

He rose up calmly and composed the pall

Firmly and decently,—and left him there,

As if his rest had been a breathing sleep.

---

THE DYING ALCHEMIST.

HE night-wind with a desolate moan swept by,

And the old shutters of the turret swung

Creaking upon their hinges; and the moon,