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THE CABINET.

Third Series.

SAY WHAT ABRIDGMENT HAVE YOU FOR THIS EVENING?

WHAT MASQUE? WHAT MUSIC? HOW SHALL WE BEGUILE
THE LAZY TIME, IF NOT WITH SOME DELIGHT?

SHAKESPEARE.

THE

CABINET;

OR,

THE SELECTED BEAUTIES

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1832

OF

LITERATURE.

EDITED BY JOHN AITKEN.

HURST

LONDON:

HURST, CHANCE, & CO. ST PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD:
HENRY CONSTABLE, WATERLOO PLACE, EDINBURGH.

MDCCCXXXI.

TO MY CHILDREN.

YES, my young darlings, since my task is done,
Again I'll mingle in your freaks and fun;
Be glad, be gay, be thoughtless, if I can,
And merge the busy worldling in the man.
Not the stiff pedagogue, with brow severe,
Authoritative air, and look austere,

But the fond sire with feelings long repress'd,
Eager to bless as eager to be bless'd,-

Longing, in home's dear sanctuary, to find
The smiling lips, the embrace, the kiss so kind,
The cloudless brow, the bearing frank and free,
The gladdening shout of merriment and glee,
And all the luxury which boisterous mirth
Scatter'd erewhile around our social hearth.

Remember ye, my sweet ones, with what " pomp And circumstance" of glee we used to romp From room to room, o'er tables, stools, and chairs, O'erturning household gods-now up the stairs, Now under sofas, now in corners hiding, Now in, now out, now round the garden gliding? Remember ye-when under books and toys The table groan'd, and evening's tranquil joys Soothed your excited spirits to reposeHow blithe as larks at peep of dawn ye rose? Pleased every moment, mirthful every hour, As bees love sunshine, or as ducks the shower;

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