Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
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serious consideration, for it is often by such little things that the great principles of
our lives are put to the test.
Then let us lay aside all false shame, and speak the truth boldly, yet in that
kindly spirit, which will prevent us from giving pain to those around us.
des Eaux.
Dear Friends,
To give a true and full account,
Of a short ramble round that lion mount,
That takes its name from fable’s fav’rite king,
Whom artists paint, and poets love to sing;
I now with pen in hand sit down to write,
And beg the lyric Muse to aid my flight,
While I attempt to tell, in humble verse,
What one might speak in easy, free converse.
It was the bright and flowery month of May,
When Nature wears her gayest, best array;
But not for us did azure deep appear,
Nor Phoebus’ rays shine bright through ether clear,
For all the sky was clad in sober gray,
With only here and there a straggling ray,
That seeming wished from out the gloom to peep,
And coax its lazy father Sun from sleep.
The rain, however, was content to stay
Snugly at home among the clouds that day,
So, vasculum in hand, we sallied out,
Though not without a certain lurking doubt
That down might come the cold relentless shower,
To spoil the pleasure of the happy hour.
p