They went out by another gate,
O'er plains and fields proceeding straight,
No house or tree was near the spot,
The sun was bright, the day was hot;
In short, the weather being such,
A draught of water was worth much.
The Lord walk'd on before them all,
And let, unseen, a cherry fall.
St. Peter rush'd to seize it hold,
As though an apple 'twere of gold;
His palate much approv'd the berry;
The Lord ere long another cherry
Once more let fall upon the plain;
St. Peter forthwith stoop'd again.
The Lord kept making him thus bend
To pick up cherries without end.
For a long time the thing went on;
The Lord then said, in cheerful tone:
"Had'st thou but moved when thou wert bid,
Thou of this trouble had'st been rid;
The man who small things scorns, will next,
By things still smaller be perplex'd."

1797.

THE mason's trade
Resembles life,
With all its strife, --
Is like the stir made
By man on earth's face.

Though weal and woe
The future may hide,
Unterrified
We onward go
In ne'er changing race.

A veil of dread
Hangs heavier still.
Deep slumbers fill
The stars over-head,
And the foot-trodden grave.

Observe them well,
And watch them revealing
How solemn feeling
And wonderment swell
The hearts of the brave.

The voice of the blest,
And of spirits on high
Seems loudly to cry:
"To do what is best,
Unceasing endeavour!

"In silence eterne
Here chaplets are twin'd,
That each noble mind
Its guerdon may earn. --
Then hope ye for ever!"

1827.^*

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