plain a tale shall put you down.-Then did we two set on you four: and, with a word, outfaced you from your prize, and have it; yea, and can show it you here in the house:and, Falstaff, you carried your mountain sides away as nimbly, with as quick dexterity, and roared for mercy, and still ran and roared, as ever I heard a calf. What a slave art thou, to hack thy sword as thou hast done; and then say it was in fight! What trick, what device, what starting hole, canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame? Poins. Come, let's hear, Jack; What trick hast thou now? Fal. Ha, ha, ha! I knew ye, as well as he that made ye. Why, hear ye, my masters: Was it for me to kill the heirapparent. Should I turn upon the true prince? Why, thou knowest, I am as valiant as Hercules: but beware instinct; the lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter; I was a coward on instinct. I shall think the better of myself and thee, during my life; I, for a valiant lion, and thou for a true prince. But, lads, I am glad you have the money.Hostess, clap to the doors; watch to-night, pray to-morrow.-Gallants, lads, boys, hearts of gold, all the titles of good fellowship come to you! What, shall we be merry? shall we have a play extempore? P. Hen. Content,-and the argument shall be, thy running away. Fal. Ah! no more of that, Hal, an thou lovest me. A VACATION HYMN. Once again we are gathered here, Looking back on the by-gone year, YYY Gather the links, gather the links, Fasten them on to the golden chain, Lessons we've learned in the months now past, Thoughts of the dear All-Father's love, Times when we've felt His spirit move, Let us cherish all these, that they may prove That all we have learned, and felt, and known, May be only in added blessing shown, That One who is with us the work will own, Then when our minglings here are o'er, Gather the links, gather the links, 100 CHOICE SELECTIONS. No. 12. THEN AND NOW,-1776-1876.-F. W. FISH. Looking back a hundred years, And comparing the now and then, As willing to draw the sword for right, It seems to me that in faithful hearts With a constant motion that still imparts Of zeal for freedom's glorious arts, As a hundred years ago. It seems to me that in field and forge, By river and by rill, In fertile plain and mountain gorge, In city and hamlet, still They live as they did in the days of King George, I do not know that the hands are weak, That the tongue delays the truth to speak, But I know full well that we need not seek 7 |