Poems chiefly philosophical Author:James Henry Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: uET up, fool, from your bended knee; God has no eyes and cannot see." "But men have eyes and see me kneel; To kneel to God is quite genteel." "Then kneel away, b... more »ut don't grimace; An ugly thing 's a long-drawn face." "I beg excuse; it 's so they paint Madonna, Magdalen and saint." "At least your oratory spare, The wheedling rhetoric you call prayer; Or for the God blush, who, to do What 's right, needs to be coaxed by you." "My rhetoric were indeed misplaced, Of go6d breath a mere wanton waste, Had my by - standing friends no ear The humble, suppliant voice to hear, In which I let th' Omniscient know What we think of him here below, And how, if he 'd few blunders make, Me for his counsellor he should take. And, in all things requiring nice Discrimination, my advice Exactly following, himself spare Resp6nsibility and care, And me scarce less anxiety Lest all should not well managed be." " Inc6mparably honest friend, Pray 6n; my lecture 's at an end; There 's not a word you Ve said but -'s true; I 'll kneel beside you and pray too." Fleurus, Hainault (belgium). Nov. 10, 1854. THE WAY TO HEAVEN. Jack and J6ck once met each other On a road that east and west lay, Posting both as fast as able, Westward Jack, and Jock due eastward: — "Whither, Jack, in such a hurry?" Said Jock, stopping short and greeting. "Straight to heaven," replied Jack hasty, "Turn about, Jock, and come with me.'' ' What! to heaven ? " said Jock astonished; "Jack, you can't to heaven get that way; Heaven lies eastward every child knows - - Come with me, I 'm bound straight for it." "Bah!" said Jack, "you 're surely j6king; Why, it 's straight to hell you 're going. ff you 're wise you 'll turn with me, Jock; Read the signpost: Heaven Miles East." "What care I, Jack, for your signpos...« less