HORATIUS BONAR.
* * * * *
THE FAITHFUL ANGEL.
FROM "PARADISE LOST," BOOK V.
The seraph Abdiel, faithful found
Among the faithless, faithful only he;
Among innumerable false, unmoved,
Unshaken, unseduced, unterrified,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example with him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,
Though single. From amidst them forth he passed,
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustained
Superior, nor of violence feared aught;
And with retorted scorn his back he turned
On those proud towers to swift destruction doomed.
MILTON.
* * * * *
LOW SPIRITS.
Fever and fret and aimless stir
And disappointed strife,
All chafing, unsuccessful things,
Make up the sum of life.
Love adds anxiety to toil,
And sameness doubles cares.
While one unbroken chain of work
The flagging temper wears.