In the coolness of the evening hour, Thou art a miser, thou busy, busy bee! Thy youth in heaping and hoarding is spent I will not copy thee, thou miserly bee! Thou art a fool, thou busy, busy bee! Thy master waits till thy work is done, And will murder thee, thou poor little bee! Southey. 27. THE BIRD IN A CAGE. Oh! who would keep a little bird confin'd, Oh! who would keep a little bird confin'd In his cold wiry prison ?-Let him fly, 28. THE BIRD CAUGHT AT SEA. Pretty little feathered fellow, Why so far from home dost rove? What misfortune brought theể hither, From the green embowering grove? Let thy throbbing heart be still, On soft sails recline thy head, Sleep, and fear no danger near thee : Barley-corns and crumbs of bread, Crystal water, too, shall cheer thee. And when kindly winds shall speed us Then, sweet captive, thou shall leave us, A. Hill. 29. THE STREAMLET. I saw a little streamlet flow A thread of silver, soft and slow, The valley smiled in living green, From noon-tide heat a friendly screen, The swallow brush'd it with his wing, But not alone to plant and bird It glided by the cotter's [3] door, And would that I could thus be found, While trav❜ling life's brief way, An humble friend to all around, Where'er my footsteps stray; Like that pure stream, with tranquil breast, Stoddart. 30. THE DAISY. What hand but His who arch'd the skies, And pours the day-spring's [4] living flood, [5] Wond'rous alike in all He tries, Could raise the daisy's purple bud, [1] Limpid-clear. [3] Cotter-cottager. [2] Meandering-winding course. [4] Dayspring-rise of day--dawn. [5] Living flood-of light. Mould its green cup, its wiry stem, That, set in silver, gleams within, Mason Good. 31. THE MOUSE'S PETITION. FOUND IN THE TRAP, WHERE HE HAD BEEN O hear a pensive prisoner's prayer. For here forlorn and sad I sit And tremble at the approaching morn If e'er thy breast with freedom glowed, O do not stain with guiltless blood Nor triumph that thy wiles [1] betray'd [1] Wiles-snares. The scatter'd gleanings of a feast The cheerful light, the vital air, The well-taught, philosophic mind Casts round the world an equal eye, Barbauld. 32.-THE PRISONER, TO A ROBIN REDBREAST. Welcome! welcome! little stranger, Hop about, and chirp, and eat.- Hunger never shall distress thee, While my meals one crumb afford, Colds and cramps shall ne'er oppress thee, Come and share my humble board: Robin, come and live with me, Live, yet still at liberty. E |