"Give her a fairy cake!" said one; "Grant her a wish!" said three ; "The latest wish that she has wished," Said all, "whate'er it be !" Kind Mabel heard the words they spoke, Thus happened it to Mabel 'Tis good to make all duty sweet, 'Tis good, like little Mabel, To have a willing mind. Mary Howitt. THE SPIDER AND HIS WIFE. In a little dark crack, half a yard from the ground, So pleasant, and snug, and convenient 'twas found, Of the cares, and fatigues, and distresses of life So, leaving those scenes of contention and strife, He thought that the little his wife would consume For when (as sometimes it would chance to befall) Brush came the great broom down the side of the wall, One day, when their cupboard was empty and dry, Said to him, "Dear, go to the cobweb and try Directly he went, his long search to resume, So, while the poor fellow, in search of his pelf, The gentleman reached a long cane from the shelf, Then presently poking him down to the floor, Not stopping at all to consider, With one horrid crush the whole business was o'er; The poor little spider was heard of no more, To the lasting distress of his widow. Taylor. THE LARK AND THE ROOK. "GOOD night, Sir Rook," said a little Lark, "The daylight fades, it will soon be dark; I've bathed my wings in the sun's last ray, I've sung my hymn to the dying day; So now I haste to my quiet nook In yon dewy meadow; good night, Sir Rook." "Good night, poor Lark," said his titled friend, With a haughty toss, and a distant bend; "I also go to my rest profound, But not to sleep on the cold damp ground; "I opened my eyes at peep of day, And saw you taking your upward way, "I trod the park with a princely air, I filled my crop with the richest fare; I caw'd all day 'mid a lordly crew, And I made more noise in the world than you. The sun shone forth on my ebon wing; I looked and wondered: good night, poor thing!" "Good night, once more," said the Lark's sweet voice; "I see no cause to repent my choice: You build your nest in the lofty pine, But is your slumber more soft than mine? LITTLE CHRISTIAN. COME hither, little Christian, I'll teach thee what the daily life When a Christian child awaketh, He should think of God in heaven, And softly say, "I thank Thee, Lord, For the sleep which Thou hast given." He must say when he ariseth, With closed eyes and humble voice His holy prayers are said: And as he thus approacheth He goeth from his chamber To his work or to his play; But the prayers that he hath prayed He hath asked to be obedient, With a glad mind and will. |