HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.

 BARNACLES.

“Barnacles” (by Sidney Lanier, 1842-81), is a poem that I teach in connection with my lessons on natural history.  We have a good specimen of a barnacle, and the children see them on the shells on the coast. 
 The ethical point is invaluable.

My soul is sailing through the sea,
But the Past is heavy and hindereth me. 
The Past hath crusted cumbrous shells
That hold the flesh of cold sea-mells
About my soul. 
The huge waves wash, the high waves roll,
Each barnacle clingeth and worketh dole
And hindereth me from sailing!

Old Past, let go, and drop i’ the sea
Till fathomless waters cover thee! 
For I am living, but thou art dead;
Thou drawest back, I strive ahead
The Day to find. 
Thy shells unbind!  Night comes behind;
I needs must hurry with the wind
And trim me best for sailing.

SIDNEY LANIER.

A HAPPY LIFE.

How happy is he born and taught
That serveth not another’s will;
Whose armour is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill!

    Whose passions not his master’s are,
      Whose soul is still prepared for death,
    Not tied unto the world with care
      Of public fame, or private breath.

SIR HENRY WOTTON.

 HOME, SWEET HOME!

“Home, Sweet Home” (John Howard Payne, 1791-1852) is a poem that reaches into the heart.  What is home?  A place where we experience independence, safety, privacy, and where we can dispense hospitality. 
“The family is the true unit.”

   ’Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
    Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home;
    A charm from the sky seems to hallow us there,
    Which, seek through the world, is ne’er met with elsewhere. 
          Home!  Home! sweet, sweet Home! 
    There’s no place like Home! there’s no place like Home!

    An exile from Home, splendour dazzles in vain;
    O, give me my lowly thatched cottage again! 
    The birds singing gaily, that came at my call,—­
    Give me them,—­and the peace of mind, dearer than all! 
          Home!  Home! sweet, sweet Home! 
    There’s no place like Home! there’s no place like Home!

    How sweet ’tis to sit ’neath a fond father’s smile,
    And the cares of a mother to soothe and beguile! 
    Let others delight ’mid new pleasures to roam,
    But give me, oh, give me, the pleasures of Home! 
          Home!  Home! sweet, sweet Home! 
    There’s no place like Home! there’s no place like Home!

    To thee I’ll return, overburdened with care;
    The heart’s dearest solace will smile on me there;
    No more from that cottage again will I roam;
    Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like Home. 
          Home!  Home! sweet, sweet Home! 
    There’s no place like Home! there’s no place like Home!