en years older.

_Weekly Mag._, II-30, May 5, 1798, Phila.

[G. E. Lessing, _An eine kleine Schoene_.]

For the Weekly Magazine.

THE SWALLOW. A FABLE.
(From the German of Lessing.)

Believe me, my friend, the great world is not suited to philosophers
or poets. We are insensible to their real worth; and they, alas! are
often weak enough to exchange it for a mere nothing.

In early ages the swallow was as tuneful and melodious a bird as the
nightingale; but she soon became weary of residing in solitary groves
to excite the admiration of none but the industrious peasant and the
innocent shepherdess. She left her humble friends, and removed into
town. What was the consequence? As the inhabitants of the city had not
leisure to attend to her divine song, she gradually forgot it, and in
its stead learned to--build.

_Weekly Mag._, II-82, May 12, 1798, Phila.

[G. E. Lessing, _Die Schwalbe_.]

THE CHASE.
By Gottfried Augustus Buerger.

_Weekly Mag._, II-413, July 28, 1798, Phila.

[G. A. Buerger, _Der wilde Jaeger_.

Sir Walter Scott, _The Wild Huntsman_. Published with _William and
Helen_ in 1796 and entitled _The Chase_.

M. G. Lewis, _Tales of Wonder_. Entitled _The Wild Huntsmen_. By
Walter Scott.

Cf. note to _Leonora_, in the _Weekly Mag._, I-221, Mar. 17, 1798.]

THE ERL-KING.
(The Original is by Goethe, Author of Werter.)

Who is it that rides through the forest so fast,
While night frowns around him, while chill roars the blast?
The father, who holds his young son in his arm,
And close in his mantle has wrapped him up warm.

--"Why trembles my darling? Why shrinks he with fear?"
"Oh father! my father! the Erl-king is near!
The Erl-king, with his crown and his beard long and white!"
--"Oh! thine eyes are deceived by the vapours of night."

--"If you will, dear baby, with me go away,
I will give you fine clothes; we will play a fine play;
Fine flowers are growing, white, scarlet and blue,
On the banks of yon river, and all are for you."

--"Oh father! my father! and dost thou not hear
What words the Erl-king whispers low in mine ear?"--
--"Now hush thee, my darling, thy terrors appease:
Thou hear'st 'midst the branches when murmu