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102
A RHYME OF LIFE.
The dial is dark,
'Tis but half past one:
But the crow is abroad,
And the day's begun.
'Tis but half past one:
But the crow is abroad,
And the day's begun.
The dial is dim,
'Tis but half past two:
Fit the small foot
With its neat first shoe.
'Tis but half past two:
Fit the small foot
With its neat first shoe.
The light gains fast,
Now 'tis half past three:
The blossom appears
All over the tree.
Now 'tis half past three:
The blossom appears
All over the tree.
109
The gnomon tells
It is but half past four:
Shut upon him
The old school-door.
It is but half past four:
Shut upon him
The old school-door.
The sun is strong,
It is half past five:
Through this and through that
Let him hustle and strive.
It is half past five:
Through this and through that
Let him hustle and strive.
Ha, thunder and rain!
It is half past six:
Hither and thither,
Go, wander and fix.
It is half past six:
Hither and thither,
Go, wander and fix.
The shadows are sharp,
It is half past seven:
The Titan dares
To scale even heaven!
It is half past seven:
The Titan dares
To scale even heaven!
110
The rain soon dries,
It is half past eight:
Time flies and flies,
But it is not late!
It is half past eight:
Time flies and flies,
But it is not late!
The sky now is clear,
It is half past nine:
Draw all the threads,
Knot up, combine.
It is half past nine:
Draw all the threads,
Knot up, combine.
Clearer and calmer,
'Tis half past ten:
Count we the gains?
Not yet: try again.
'Tis half past ten:
Count we the gains?
Not yet: try again.
The shadows lengthen,
Half past eleven:
He looks back, alas!
Let the man be shriven!
Half past eleven:
He looks back, alas!
Let the man be shriven!
111
Evening mist falls,
It is half past twelve:
Hark, the bell tolls,
Up, sexton, and delve!
It is half past twelve:
Hark, the bell tolls,
Up, sexton, and delve!
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