The Pearl, Or, Affection's Gift

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1832. Excerpt: ... THE CHILDREN'S CHOICE. I Mean to be a soldier, With uniform quite new, I wish they'd let me have a drum, And be a captain too; I would go amid the battle, With my broad sword in my hand, And hear the cannon rattle, And the music all so grand. My son! my son! what if that sword Should strike a noble heart, And bid some loving father From his little ones depart? What comfort would your waving plumes, And brilliant dress bestow, When you thought upon his widow's tears, And her orphan's cry of wo? WILLIAM. I mean to be a President, And rule each rising state, And hold my levees once a week, For all the gay and great; I'll be a king, except a crown, For that they won't allow, And I'll find out what the tariff is, That puzzles me so now. MOT ITER. My son! my son! the cares of state Are thorns upon the breast, That even pierce the good man's heart, And rob him of his rest; The great and gay to him appear As trifling as the dust, For he knows how little they are worth, How faithless is their trust. LOUISA. I mean to be a cottage girl, And sit beside a rill, And morn and eve my pitcher there With purest water fill; And I'll train a lovely woodbine, Around my cottage door, And welcome to my winter hearth The wandering and the poor. But, ah! remember, pride may dwell Beneath the woodbine's shade, And discontent, a sullen guest, The cottage hearth invade. I will be gay and courtly, And dance away the hours, .Music, and sport, and joy, shall dwell Beneath my fairy bowers; No heart shall ache with sadness, Within my laughing hall, But the note of love and gladness Re-echo to my call. MOTHER. Oh! children! sad it makes my soul, To hear your playful strain; I cannot bear to chill your youth With images of pain. Yet humbly take what God bestows, And, like his own fair flow...