'Tis past conjecture; all things rise in proof.
While o'er my limbs sleep's soft dominion spread, What though my soul fantastic measures trod O'er fairy fields, or mourn'd along the gloom Of pathless woods, or down the craggy steep Hurl'd headlong, swam with pain the mantled pool, Or scaled the cliff, or danced on hollow winds With antic shapes, wild natives of the brain!
Her ceaseless flight, though devious, speaks her nature Of subtler essence than the trodden clod: Active, aerial, towering, unconfined, Unfetter'd with her gross companion's fall.
Even silent night proclaims my soul immortal: Even silent night proclaims eternal day!
For human weal Heaven husbands all events; Dull sleep instructs, nor sport vain dreams in vain.
YOUNG.
FAREWELL.
[Illustration: Letter N.]
Nay, shrink not from that word "Farewell!"
As if 'twere friendship's final knell-- Such fears may prove but vain: So changeful is life's fleeting day, Whene'er we sever, Hope may say, We part to meet again!
E'en the last parting earth can know, Brings not unutterable woe To souls that heav'nward soar: For humble Faith, with steadfast eye, Points to a brighter world on high, Where hearts, that here at parting sigh, May meet--to part no more!
BARTON.
[Illustration]
VOCABULARY OF WORDS USED IN THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON READING BOOK.
[We have considered that it would be useful to the young reader to have a ready means of reference, in the READING BOOK itself, to all unusual words of one syllable, and all the words of two syllables and above, that occur in the various lessons. In the following pages will be found, properly accentuated, all the more difficult polysyllables, with their meanings, derived from Johnson, Walker, and other competent authorities.]
ABA'NDON, _v.a._ give up; resign, or quit; forsake; leave
ABI'LITY, _s._ capacity; qualification; power
A'BJECT, _a._ mean; being of no hope or regard; destitute
ABLU'TION, _s._ the act of cleansing or washing clean; water used in washing
ABO'LISH, _v.a._ make void; put an end to; destroy
ABO'UND, _v.n._ have in great plenty; be in great plenty
ABRE'AST, _ad._ side by side
ABRU'PTLY, _ad._ hastily; suddenly; without the due forms of preparation
A'BSOLUTE, _a._ positive; certain; unlimited
A'BSTRACT, _s._ the smaller quantity containing the virtue or power of the greater
ABSTRU'SE, _a._ hidden; difficult
ABU'NDANT, _a._ plentiful
ABU'TMENT, _s._ that which borders upon another
ACA'DEMY, _s._ (from _Academus_, an Athenian, who founded a public school at Athens, which after him was called Academia, _Latin_), place of education; an assembly or society of men, uniting for the promotion of some art
A'CCENT, _s._ the sound of a syllable; a modification of the voice expressive of the passions or sentiments; the marks made upon syllables to regulate their pronunciation
A'CCIDENT, _s._ that which happens unforeseen; chance
ACCO'MPANY, _v.n._ associate with; become a companion to
ACCO'MPLICE, _s._ an associate; partner
ACCO'MPLISHMENT, _s._ ornament of mind or body; acquirement
ACCO'ST, _v.a._ speak to; address; salute
ACCO'UNT, _s._ the state or result of a computation--as, the _account_ stands thus between us; narrative; value
ACCO'UTRE, _v.a._ dress; equip
A'CCURACY, _s._ exactness; nicety
ACCU'STOM, _v._ to habituate; to inure
ACQUI'RE, _v.a._ gain; obtain; attain
A'CRID, _a._ having a hot biting taste; bitter
A'CRIMONY, _s._ sharpness; severity; bitterness of thought or language
ACRO'POLIS, _s._ a citadel; the highest part of a city
ACTI'VITY, _s._ quickness; nimbleness