In the dark blue sky you keep, And often through my curtains peep; your eye Till the sun is in the sky. As your bright and tiny spark THE BUSY BEE. How doth the little busy bee How skilfully she builds her cell, In books, or work, or healthful play, Some good account at last. WATTS. CASABIANCA. The boy stood on the burning deck Yet beautiful and bright he stood, A proud, though child-like form. The flames rolled on-he would not go He called aloud;- "Say, father, say He knew not that the chieftain lay Speak, father!" once again he cried, "If I may yet be gone!" And but the booming shots replied, And fast the flames rolled on. Upon his brow he felt their breath, And looked from that lone post of death, In still, yet brave despair. And shouted but once more aloud, "My Father! must I stay?". While o'er him fast, through sail and shroud, The wreathing fires made way. They wrapped the ship in splendor wild, They caught the flag on high, And streamed above the gallant child, Like banners in the sky. There came a burst of thunder-sound The boy-oh where was he? Ask of the winds that far around With fragments strewed the sea! With mast, and helm, and pennon fair, MRS. HEMANS. THE WANDERING BOY. 169 THE WANDERING BOY. WHEN the winter wind whistles along the wild moor, And the cottager shuts on the beggar his door; When the chilling tear stands in my comfortless eye, Oh, how hard is the lot of the Wandering Boy! The winter is cold, and I have no vest, And my heart it is cold as it beats in my breast; Yet I had a home, and I once had a sire, But my father and mother were summoned away, The wind it is keen, and the snow loads the gale, H. K. WHITE. THE COW AND THE ASS. HARD by a green meadow a stream used to flow, A cow, quite oppressed with the heat of the sun, But soon a brown ass of respectable look, said the ass. "Take a seat," cried the cow, gently waving her hand, "By no means, dear madam," said he, "while you stand; Then stooping to drink, with a complaisant bow, “Ma'am, your health," said the ass,-" thank you, sir,” said the cow. When a few of these compliments more had been past, They laid themselves down on the herbage at last, |