to good taste and morals, and has in consequence
been compelled to exclude from his anthology many a glorious flower, which
he would gladly have woven therein, had he not been apprehensive that it
was the offspring of a poisonous bulb. He cannot refrain from lamenting
that in his literary researches he has too often found amongst the
writings of those, most illustrious for their genius and imagination, the
least of that which is calculated to meet the approbation of the
Christian, or even of the mere Moralist; and in conclusion he will take
the liberty of addressing to those who may feel within them the stirrings
of a mind capable of mighty things, the sublime words, slightly modified,
of an Arabian sage and poet: O man, though the years of thy worldly fame
are destined to be equal in number to the doves of the heaven, they shall
nevertheless have an end, but whatever thou shalt do or say, which is
founded on the love of wisdom and of God, shall endure for ever.

Saint Petersburg. June 1, 1835.

ODE TO GOD.

From the Hebrew.

Reign'd the Universe's Master ere were earthly things begun;
When His mandate all created, Ruler was the name He won,
And alone He'll rule tremendous when all things are past and gone;
He no equal has nor consort, He the singular and lone
Has no end and no beginning, His the sceptre, might, and throne;
He's my God and living Saviour, rock to which in need I run;
He's my banner and my refuge, fount of weal when call'd upon;
In His hand I place my spirit at night-fall and rise of sun,
And therewith my body also; God's my God--I fear no one.

PRAYER.

From the Arabic.

O Thou who dost know what the heart fain would hide;
Who ever art ready whate'er may betide;
In whom the distressed can hope in their woe;
Whose ears with the groans of the wretched are plied--
Still bid Thy good gifts from Thy treasury flow;
All good is assembled where Thou dost abide;
To Thee, save my poverty, nought can I show,
And of Thee all my poverty's wants are supplied;
What choice have I save to Thy portal to go?
If 'tis shut, to what other my steps can I guide?
'Fore whom as a suppliant low shall I bow,
If Thy bounty to me, Thy poor slave, is denied?
But oh: though rebellious full often I grow
Thy bounty and kindness are not the less wide.

DEATH.

From the Arabic.

Grim Death in his shroud swatheth mortals each hour,
Yet little we reck of what's hanging us o'er;
O would on the w