Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs By Walter Thornbury. Illustrated by J. Whistler, F. Walker, John Tenniel, J. D. Watson, W. Small, F. Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, T. Morten, M. J. Lawless, and many others |
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Five Lessons from old Schoolmaster Nature.
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 | Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs |  |
Five Lessons from old Schoolmaster Nature.
LESSON I.
Ten years to build a house? The mushroom's roofIn one night rises,
And surprises
The shepherd lout ere crushed beneath his hoof.
LESSON II.
Years to work one room full of tapestry?The rose's shoot
Has grown a foot
Since last night's rain. O Nature's majesty!
LESSON III.
Three years to fix on canvas a dead saint?Careless to-day
Through earth made way
The lily;—dullard, learn from it to subtly paint.
LESSON IV.
Poor prodigal! you toss your gold in showers away?The Autumn tree
As recklessly
Flings all its leaves; but they return in May.
LESSON V.
Kind Nature keeps for all of us a gentle school.Even the wise
Through it may rise
Still wiser. Sorrow and death alone can teach the fool.
| Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs | |