258 SELECT POETRY

So let us catch life’s favouring gale,
But if fate’s adverse winds be rude,
Take calmly in the adventurous sail,
And find repose in solitude.
Charlotte Smith.

THE LESSONS TAUGHT BY NATURE.

*Twas thus to man the voice of nature spake ;—

“Go, from the creatures thy instruction take :

Learn from the birds what food the thickets yield;

Learn from the beasts the physic of the field ;

The arts of building from the bee receive ;

Learn of the mole to plough, the worm to weave;

Learn of the little nautilus to sail,

Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.”
Popes

HUMILITY.

Tux bird that soars on highest wing,
Builds on the ground her lowly nest ;

And she that doth most sweetly sing,
Sings in the shade when all things rest:

In lark and nightingale we see

What honour hath humility.