How could reason be so far beguiled, Seeing his face bent over book or toy, CROWNS FOR CHILDREN. ANONYMOUS. THE children crowned themselves with roses, Pale on the soft brown locks they lay, Throw the fading vision by! Make a crown that cannot die. The children crowned themselves with diamonds, And could not bear the weight; Down they droop their weary curls, Like a leaf that falls or a sail that furls, When the night is dark and late. Throw away the useless things! The children crowned themselves with wishes, Love lies soft on each fair head, Kisses dry the tears they shed,— Hope each day is new. Keep that crown, nor keep in vain! WISHING. WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. RING-TING! I wish I were a Primrose, A bright yellow Primrose, blowing in the spring! The stooping bough above me, The wandering bee to love me, The fern and moss to creep across, And the Elm-tree for our king! Nay, stay! I wish I were an Elm-tree, The sun and moonshine glance in, Oh, no! I wish I were a Robin, A Robin, or a little Wren, everywhere to go, And ask no leave or pardon, Well, tell! where should I fly to, Where go sleep in the dark wood or dell? Home must come the rover, TIRED OF PLAY. N. P. WILLIS. TIRED of play! tired of play! What hast thou done this livelong day? The sun is creeping up steeple and tree; How hast thou spent it, precious one? Playing? But what hast thou done beside, What promise of morn is left unbroken? There will come an end to a longer day, Well for thee, then, if thy lips can tell Hath plead with thy human heart unheard; It will bring relief to thine aching brow, LITTLE MOMENTS. ANONYMOUS. LITTLE moments, how they fly, Bearing many things for me Never do they wait to ask And the little moments keep Artists are the moments too, If we smile or if we frown, Let us then so careful be, May not blush for you and me! GOOD-NIGHT AND GOOD-MORNING. LORD HOUGHTON. A FAIR little girl sat under a tree, Sewing as long as her eyes could see; Then smoothed her work and folded it right, And said, "Dear work, good-night, good-night!" |