8 With hasty steps the Farmer ran; and close beside the fire they place the poor half-frozen Beggar-man, with shaking limbs and pallid face. The little children flocking came, and warmed his stiffening hands in theirs, while busily the good old Dame a comfortable meal prepares. 9 Their kindness cheered his drooping soul; and slowly down his wrinkled cheek the big round tears were seen to roll-they told the thanks he could not speak. 10 The children, too, began to sigh, and all their merry chat was o'er; and yet they felt, they knew not why, more glad than they had done before. 5. THE CHILD AND THE PIPER--W. Blake. Piping down the valleys wild, piping songs of pleasant glee, 6. THE DOVE.-Moore. The bird let loose in Eastern skies, when hast'ning fondly home, -THE VOICE OF SPRING.-Mrs. Howitt. 'I am coming, little Maiden, with the pleasant sunshine laden; with the honey for the bee, with the blossom for the tree, with the flower and with the leaf:-till I come the time is brief. 2 I am coming, I am coming! Hark, the little bee is humming; see, the lark is soaring high in the bright and sunny sky, and the gnats are on the wing;-little Maiden, now is Spring! 3 See the yellow catkins cover all the slender willows over; and on mossy banks so green starlike primroses are seen; and their clustering leaves below, white and purple violets blow. Hark! the little lambs are bleating; and the cawing rooks are meeting in the elms,—a noisy crowd! and all the birds are singing loud; and the first white butterfly in the sun goes flitting by. 5 Little Maiden, look around thee! green and flowery fields surround thee; every little stream is bright; all the orchard trees are white; and each small and waving shoot promises sweet flower or fruit. 6 Turn thine eyes to earth and heaven!-God for thee the Spring has given, taught the birds their melodies, clothed the earth and cleared the skies, for thy pleasure or thy food ;-pour thy soul in gratitude! So mayst thou 'mid blessings dwell,-Little Maiden, fare thee well! 8.-THE MOSS-ROSE.-Translation from Krummacher. The Angel of the Flowers, one day, beneath a rose-tree sleeping lay; that Spirit to whose charge 'tis given to bathe young buds in dews of heaven;-awaking from his light repose, the Angel whispered to the Rose: "O, fondest object of my care, still fairest found where all are fair; for the sweet shade thou giv'st to me, ask what thou wilt, 'tis granted thee." Then," said the Rose, with deepened glow, "on me another grace bestow." The Spirit paused in silent thought,-what grace was there that flower had not? 'Twas but a moment;-o'er the Rose a veil of moss the Angel throws; and, robed in Nature's simplest weed, could there a flower that Rose exceed? 66 9.-PRIDE.--Taylor. Pride, ugly Pride, sometimes is seen by haughty looks and lofty mien ; but oftener it is found that Pride loves deep within the heart to hide; and, while the looks are mild and fair, it sits and does its mischief there. Now, if you really wish to find if Pride is lurking in your mind, inquire-If you can bear a slight, or patiently give up your right? Can you submissively consent to take reproof and punishment, and feel no angry temper start in any corner of your heart? Can you at once confess a crime, and promise for another time? or say you've been in a mistake, nor try some poor excuse to make; but freely own that it was wrong to argue for your side so long? Flat contradiction can you bear, when you are right, and know you are? nor flatly contradict again, but wait, or modestly explain, and tell your reasons one by one, nor think of triumph when you've done? Can you, in business or in play, give up your wishes or your way or do a thing against your will, for somebody that's younger still? and never try to overbear, nor say a word that is not fair? Does laughing at ? you, in a joke, no anger or revenge provoke; but can you laugh yourself, and be as merry as the company? Or, when you find that you could do the harm to them they did to you, can you keep down the wicked thought, and do exactly as you ought?... Put all these questions to your heart, and make it act an honest part; and, when they've each been fairly tried, I think you'll own that you have Pride: some one will suit you as you go, and force your heart to tell you so; but, if they all should be denied then you're too proud to own your Pride! 10. THE TEAR.-Moore. On beds of snow the moonbeam slept, and chilly was the midnight gloom, 11. THE COMPLAINTS OF THE POOR.-Southey. "And wherefore do the Poor complain?" the Rich Man asked of me,- We met a young bare-footed Child, and she begged loud and bold; We saw a Woman sitting down upon a stone to rest; She had a baby at her back, and another at her breast. I asked her why she loitered there, when the bleak wind blew so chill: She turned her head, and bade the child that screamed behind be still. She told us that her husband served, a soldier, far away; And therefore to her parish she was begging back her way. I turned me to the Rich Man then, for silently stood he; "You asked me why the Poor complain,—and these have answered thee !" с 12.-WHAT DO THE BIRDS SAY.-Coleridge. Do you ask what the birds say? The sparrow, the dove, 18-THE SKY-LARK.-Mrs. Hemans. 1The Sky-Lark, when the dews of morn hang tremulous on flower and thorn, and violets round his nest exhale their fragrance on the early gale; to the first sunbeam spreads his wings, buoyant with joy, and soars, and sings. He rests not on the leafy spray, to warble his exulting lay; but, high above the morning cloud, mounts in triumphant freedom proud; and swells, when nearest to the sky, his sweetest notes of ecstasy. Thus, my Creator! thus the more my spirit's wing to Thee can soar; the more she triumphs to behold thy love in all thy works unfold: and bids her hymns of rapture be most glad, when rising most to Thee. 3 14.—THE CHILD AND THE DEW-DROPS.-Carpenter. "My child," said the father, "look up to the skies, Then are we not taught by each beautiful ray, For, though youth of its brightness and beauty be riven, Alas! for the father-how little knew he, The words he had spoken prophetic could be; The rainbow again spread its beauteous dyes; And thought of his Child and the Dew-drops-in Heaven. 15.-VIOLETS.-Moultrie. Under the green hedges after the snow, Hiding their heads where they scarce may be seen :- 16.-THE FOX AT THE POINT OF DEATH.-Gay. A Fox, in life's extreme decay, weak, sick, and faint, expiring lay; all appetite had left his maw, and age disarm'd his mumbling jaw. His numerous race around him stand, to learn their dying sire's command; he rais'd his head with whining moan, and thus was heard the feeble tone: 66 Ah, sons! from evil ways depart; my crimes lie heavy at my heart. See, see, the murder'd geese appear! Why are those bleeding turkeys here? Why all around this cackling train, who haunt my ears for chickens slain ?" The hungry Foxes round them star'd, and for the promised feast prepar❜d. "Where, sir, is all this dainty cheer? Nor turkey, goose, nor hen is here. These are the phantoms of your brain; your children lick their lips in vain." “ "O, gluttons," says the drooping sire, "restrain inordinate desire; your liquorish taste you shall deplore, when peace of conscience is no more. Does not the hound betray our pace, and gins and guns destroy our race? Thieves dread the searching eye of power, and never feel the quiet hour. |