Elocutionist's Annual Number Comprising New and Popular Readings, Recitations, Declamations, Dialogues, Tableaux Etc., Etc Volume 13 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ... ocean gently dips. On our southern border, westward, Rule a mighty people keep, Thence the waters of the great lakes Down the broad St. Lawrence sweep. All our border, looking northward, Stretches where the North Seas roll, Where the ice in blocks of crystal Floats about the distant pole. Land of city, mine, and homestead, Land of river, mountain, dale, Long reign peace within-our border, But if war should e'er prevail, And the foot of hostile stranger, Stand within our long-drawn shore, What a troop of hardy soldiers To defend us then would pour. Stalwart citizen and yeoman, Dusky worker of the mine, From the plains the swarthy Indian And the seaman from the brine--All would raise our glorious banner, All would fight to keep us free, Till the mingled songs of triumph Clear would ring from sea to sea. THE SMOKE OF SACRIFICE. LORD, I have laid my heart upon Thy altar, But cannot get the wood to burn; It hardly flames ere it begins to falter, And to the dark return. Old sap, or night-fallen dew, has damped the fuel; In vain my breath would flame provoke: Yet see at every poor attempt's renewal To Thee ascends the smoke. Tis all I have--smoke, failure, foiled endeavor, Coldness and doubt and palsied lack; Such as I have I send Thee. Perfect Giver, Send Thou Thy lightning back George Macdonald. LORD DUNDREARY IN THE COUNTRY. DIWECTLY after the season is over in town, I always go into the countwy. To tell you the twuth, I hate the countwy--it's so awful dull--there's such a howid v noise of nothing all day; and there is nothing to see but gween twees and cows and buttercups and wabbits and all that sort of cattle--I don't mean exactly cattle either, but animals, you know. And then the earwigs get into your hair-bwushes if you leave the bed-woom window open; a...