* 36 *

LITTLE BELL.

I.

PIPED the blackbird on the woodland spray,1 "Pretty maid, slowly wandering this way, What's your name?" Quoth he,2

"What's your name? Oh, stop, and straight unfold,3

Pretty maid with showery curls of gold." "Little Bell," said she.

Little Bell sat down beneath the rocks, Tossed aside her gleaming golden locks, "Bonny bird!" quoth she,

"Sing me your best song before I go." "Here's the very finest song I know, Little Bell," said he.

And the blackbird piped; you never heard
Half so gay a song from any bird, -

Full of quips and wiles:

Now so round and rich, now soft and slow,
All for love of that sweet face below,

Dimpled o'er with smiles.

And the while 5 the bonny bird did pour
His full heart out freely o'er and o'er
'Neath the morning skies,

1 spray, sprig, twig.
2 quoth, (kwōth), said.

3 straight unfold, quickly tell.

4 quips and wiles, odd and sly variations.

5 the while, during the time that, while.

In the little childish heart below

All the sweetness seemed to grow and grow,
And shine forth in happy overflow

From the blue, bright eyes.

Down the dell she tripped; and through the glade Peeped the squirrel from the hazel shade,

And from out the tree

Swung and leaped and frolicked, void of fear, While bold blackbird piped, that all might hear, "Little Bell!" piped he.

II.

Little Bell sat down amid the fern:

66

Squirrel, squirrel, to your task return;
Bring me nuts!" quoth she.

Up, away, the frisky squirrel hies,

Golden wood lights glancing in his eyes;

And adown the tree,

Great ripe nuts, kissed brown by July sun,
In the little lap drop, one by one:

Hark, how blackbird pipes to see the fun!
"Happy Bell!" pipes he.

66

66

Little Bell looked up and down the glade:
Squirrel, squirrel, from the nut-tree shade,
Bonny blackbird, if you're not afraid,

Come and share with me!"

Down came squirrel, eager for his fare,
Down came bonny blackbird, I declare.
Little Bell gave each his honest share,
Ah the merry three!

And the while those frolic playmates twain Piped and frisked from bough to bough again, 'Neath the morning skies,

In the little childish heart below

Alf the sweetness seemed to grow and grow,
And shine out in happy overflow
From the blue, bright eyes.

By her snow-white cot, at close of day,
Knelt sweet Bell with folded palms to pray;
Very calm and clear

Rose the praying voice to where, unseen
In blue heaven, an angel shape 2 serene
Paused awhile to hear.

"What good child is this," the angel said, "That with happy heart beside her bed Prays so lovingly?"

Low and soft, oh, very low and soft,

3

Crooned the blackbird in the orchard croft,4

"Bell, dear Bell!" crooned he.

* 37 *

A SHORT SERMON.

CHILDREN who read my lay,5
This much I have to say:

1 twain, two.

1 shape, form.

J. WESTWOOD.

3 crooned, hummed, or sang in a low tone.

4 orchard croft, patch of ground planted with fruit trees. 5 lay, song, poem.

Each day, and every day,
Do what is right,-

Right things in great and small,
Then, though the sky should fall,
Sun, moon, and stars, and all,
You shall have light.

This further would I say:
Be you tempted as you may,
Each day, and every day,
Speak what is true,—

True things in great and small;
Then, though the sky should fall,
Sun, moon, and stars, and all,
Heaven would show through.

Figs, as you see and know,
Do not out of thistles grow;
And, though the blossoms blow
While on the tree,

Grapes never, never yet

On the limbs of thorns were set:
So, if you good would get,1
Good you must be.

Life's journey through and through, Speaking what is just and true,

Doing what is right to do

Unto one and all,

1 get or receive good.

When you work and when you play,
Each day, and every day, -

Then peace shall gild your way,

Though the sky should fall.

ALICE CARY.

* 38 *

WHICH IS YOUR LOT?

SOME children roam the fields and hills,
And others work in noisy mills;

Some dress in silks, and dance and play,
While others drudge their lives away;
Some glow with health, and bound with song,
And some must suffer all day long.

Which is your lot, my girl and boy?
Is it a life of ease and joy?
Ah! if it is, its glowing sun
The poorer life should shine upon.
Make glad one little heart to-day,
And help one burdened child to play.

* 39 *

NEVER PUT OFF.

WHENE'ER a duty waits for thee,

With sober judgment view it,

And never idly wish it done:
Begin at once, and do it.