LESSON XCII.

HON' OR A BLE, noble; illustrious.

IN' TEL LECT, mind; understanding.

SCORE, account; motive.

CLEV' ER, skillful; expert.

SO' CIAL, familiar.

CON FU' SION, fuss; tumult.

CON DE SCEN' SION, loveliness; deference.

COM PRE HEN' SION, understanding.

[Headnote 1: CROE SUS, a very wealthy king of ancient Lydia, in Asia Minor, was born about 591 before Christ.]

THE RICH MAN AND THE POOR MAN.

KHEMNITZER.

1. So goes the world`;—if wealthy, you may call

This—friend, that—brother`;—friends and brothers all

Though you are worthless, witless,—never mind it;

You may have been a stable-boy,—what then?

'Tis wealth, my friends, makes honorable men.

You seek respect, no doubt, and you will find it.

2. But, if you are poor', heaven help you`! though your sire

Had royal blood in him`, and though you

Possess the intellect of angels too.

'Tis all in vain`;—the world will ne'er inquire

On such a score`:—why should it take the pains?

'Tis easier to weigh purses`, sure, than brains'.

3. I once saw a poor fellow, keen and clever.

Witty and wise`; he paid a man a visit,

And no one noticed him', and no one ever

Gave him a welcome`. "Strange`," cried I', "whence is it`?"

He walked on this side', then on that`,

He tried to introduce a social chat`;

Now here', now there`, in vain he tried`;

Some formally and freezingly replied,

And some said by their silence,—"Better stay at home."

4.     A rich man burst the door,

As Croesus[Headnote 1] rich;—I'm sure

He could not pride himself upon his wit`;

And, as for wisdom, he had none of it`;

He had what's better`,—he had wealth.

What a confusion!—all stand up erect,—

These crowd around to ask him of his health;

These bow in honest duty and respect;

And these arrange a sofa or a chair,

And these conduct him there.

"Allow me, sir, the honor`;"—Then a bow

Down to the earth`.—Is't possible to show

Meet gratitude for such kind condescension`!

5.     The poor man hung his head,

And to himself he said,

"This is indeed beyond my comprehension:"

Then looking round, one friendly face he found,

And said,—"Pray tell me why is wealth preferred

"To wisdom?"—"That's a silly question, friend!"

Replied the other,—"have you never heard.

A man may lend his store

Of gold or silver ore,

But wisdom none can borrow, none can lend?"

QUESTIONS.—1. How do you account for the different inflections in the last line of the second verse? See page 31, Note I. 2. What rule for the falling inflection on condescension? See page 29, Note I.