SONG TO A ROSE.
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greatest power within the last half century. The novels which had attained high literary merit before that may almost be numbered on the fingers' ends. Among these few were "Robinson Crusoe" and "Arabian Nights," the popularity of which works among children has never been equaled; and it may be added, that their influence has been altogether salutary. The writings of Swift, Johnson and Goldsmith have also made steady progress in public favor, and now hold high rank amongst our choicest literature.
Much as the companionship of good fiction is to be desired, the acquirement of positive knowledge should not be slighted in any degree. To be destitute of imagination or to be ignorant of the world of reality about us, is to lack a supremely important element of intellectual power. Without either of the two, true success in life can never be obtained. The child of fancy plans, but has no material with which to build. Reality has material but can neither share nor enjoy it. Combined in one, they form Wisdom.
Since the fictionist's power when employed rightly becomes an angel of usefulness, but when abused is in its pernicious effect a demon, it follows that a strict moral censorship should be exercised by society. Award to the former the proudest honors of genius; to the latter, the severest censure of a just public. Then we may expect a literature at once pure and elevating. Then fiction, with Nature as its text book, becomes the ablest teacher of truth.
G. L. M.
SONG TO A ROSE.
Go, lovely rose,
Tell her that wastes her time and me,
That now she knows
When I resemble her to thee
How sweet and fair she seems to be.
Tell her that's young,
And shuns to have her graces spied,
That had'st thou sprung
In deserts where no men abide,
Thou must have uncommended died.
Small is the worth
Of beauty from the light retired;
Bid her come forth,
Suffer herself to be desired,
And no blush so to be admired.
Then die that she
The common fate of all things rare
May read in thee.
How small a part of time they share
Who are so wondrous bright and fair.
Edmund Waller.