"Two of us in the churchyard lie,
My sister and my brother;'
And in the churchyard cottage I
Dwell near them with my mother."
"You say that two at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea,
Yet you are seven: I pray you tell,
Sweet maid, how this may be."
Then did the little maid reply,
"Seven boys and girls are we;
Two of us in the churchyard lie,
Beneath the churchyard tree."
"You run about, my little maid,
Your limbs they are alive;
If two are in the churchyard laid,
Then you are only five."
"THEIR graves are green, they may be seen," The little maid replied,
"Twelve steps or more from mother's door, And they are side by side.
"My stockings there I often knit,
My kerchief' there I hem;
And there upon the ground I sit—
I sit and sing to them.
"And often after sunset, sir,
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer,
And eat my supper there.
"The first that died was little Jane,
In bed she moaning lay,
Till God released her from her pain,
And then she went away.
"So in the churchyard she was laid;
And when the grass was dry,
Together round her grave we play'd,
My brother John and I.
"And when the ground was white with snow, And I could run and slide,
My brother John was forced to go,
And he lies by her side."
"How many are you, then," said I,
"If those two are in heaven ?"
The little maiden did reply,
Oh, master, we are seven."
"But they are dead—those two are dead,
Their spirits are in heaven.”
'Twas throwing words away, for still
The little maid would have her will,
And said, "Nay, we are seven.
THE WORKS OF GOD.
GOD made the sky that looks so blue,
God made the grass so green,
God made the flowers that smell so sweet,
In pretty colours seen.
God made the sun that shines so bright,
And gladdens all I see:
It comes to give us heat and light;
How thankful should we be!
God made the pretty bird to fly;
How sweetly has she sung!
And though she soars so very high,
She won't forget her young.
God made the cow to give nice milk,
The horse for man to use;
I'll treat them kindly for His sake,
Nor dare his gifts abuse.
God made the water for our drink,
God made the fish to swim,
God made the trees to bear nice fruit,
Oh! how we should love Him!
"WHAT are fairies? Have they wings?
Are they good or naughty things?
Can they dance, and can they talk ?
Do they fly or swim, or walk?
Do they make a dreadful noise ?
Do they eat up girls and boys?
Please, Mamma, tell me and Mary
What's the meaning of a fairy?"
"Fairies are very tiny things,
With golden hair and gauzy wings,
And sparkling crowns like dew-drops bright,
And robes all glistening with light;
And rosy cheeks, and bright blue eyes,
And wands, in which their power lies.
"And there are fairies everywhere,
On the earth and in the air;
Some peep out of roses red,
Some in lilies go to bed;
Some live in heather's crimson bell,
Some love the honeysuckle well,
And many a one doth snugly lie
Under the wings of a butterfly.
"And fairies fly and flit about,
Through the key holes in and out;
Well they love the tidy child,
But they hate the rough and wild;
And they pinch, and scratch, and bite
All who quarrel or who fight:
So, I hope that you and Mary
Won't be punish'd by a fairy."
THE CARRIER-PIGEON.
"WHERE do you come from, Pigeon, I pray,
And what has brought you here to-day ?"
"From Scotland I come, and under my wing
A letter from Grandmamma I bring."
"Oh! Pigeon, what does the letter say?"
"It says that, though she's far away,
Grandmamma loves her darling well-
A great deal more than she can tell.
"And she hopes that you are a good little child, Gentle, obedient, docile, and mild;
And she sends in the letter kisses three,
For Mary, and you, and the baby wee."
"Oh! pretty Pigeon, fly back once more:
The fields are cover'd with golden store,
But stay not a single grain to taste—
Fly back to my Grandmamma with haste;
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