34

THE ROBIN-REDBREASTS.

I know a child,
I'm loth to say I do,

Who struck a little playmate child :
it was n't you!

Was it?
I hope that was n't you!

a boy or girl,

a boy or girl,

There is a boy, I know a boy,-
I cannot love him though,

Who robs the little birdies' nests;

Is it? it can't be you!

―――――――――――――

That bad boy can't be you!

A girl there is, a girl I know,—
And I could love her too,

But that she is so proud and vain;

Is it? it can't be you!

That surely is n't you!

MRS. GOODWIN.

THE ROBIN-REDBREASTS.

Two Robin-redbreasts built their nests
Within a hollow tree;

GOOD MORNING.

The hen sat quietly at home,
The cock sang merrily;

And all the little young ones said:

66

Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee."

One day (the sun was warm and bright,
And shining in the sky)

""

Cock-robin said: "My little dears,
'Tis time you learned to fly ;
And all the little young ones said:
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try."

I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by and by,-
When mamma says:
"Do this," or 66
that,"
She says: "What for?" and "Why?"
She'd be a better child by far

If she would say: "I'll try."

AUNT EFFIE'S RHYMES.

GOOD MORNING.

35

66

"O, I am so happy!" a little girl said,

As she sprang, like a lark, from her low trundle-bed; ""Tis morning, bright morning: good morning, papa. O give me one kiss for good morning, mamma :

Only just look at my pretty canary,
Chirping his sweet good morning to Mary.

36

GOOD MORNING.

The sun is peeping straight into my eyes,
Good morning to you, Mister Sun, for you rise
Early to wake up my birdie and me,
And make us as happy as happy can be."

"Happy you may be, my dear little girl;" And the mother stroked softly each clustering curl: "Happy you can be; but think of the One

Who wakened, this morning, both you and the sun." The little girl turned her bright eyes with a nod : "Mamma, may I say 'Good morning' to God?" "Yes, little darling one, surely you may; Kneel, as you kneel every morning to pray." Mary knelt solemnly down, with her eyes Looking up earnestly into the skies;

And two little hands, that were folded together,
Softly she laid on the lap of her mother:
"Good morning, dear Father in heaven," she said;
"I thank Thee for watching my snug little bed;
For taking good care of me all the dark night,
And waking me up with the beautiful light.
O keep me from naughtiness all the long day,
Dear Saviour, who taught little children to pray!

An angel looked down in the sunshine and smiled, But she saw not the angel, — that beautiful child!

She lifted up her bright young eyes,
With a soft and pleasing smile;
Then a mother's kiss was on her lips,
So pure and free from guile.

And when night came, that little one
In kneeling down to pray,
Said, in a soft and whispering tone:
"Have I been good to-day?"

O, many, many bitter tears,

"T would save us, did we say,

Like that dear child, with earnest heart:
"I will be good to-day."

GOD MADE ME.

I NOW am but a little child;

My hands are weak, my strength is small; Yet I can seek, and I can love,

The Lord Almighty, God of all.

37

38

LITTLE DANDELION.

He gave my life to me at first;

He loves the little child He made;
He keeps me safe through all the day,
And guards me when in sleep I'm laid.

If I obey and love His law,

He'll teach me all I need to know;
And take me in His arms on high
When I have lived my life below.

HYMNS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

LITTLE DANDELION.

GAY little Dandelion

Lights up the meads,
Swings on her slender foot,
Telleth her beads.

Lists to the robin's note
Poured from above;
Wise little Dandelion
Asks not for love.

Cold lie the daisy banks,
Clad but in green,
Where, in the days agone,
Bright hues were seen.
Wild pinks are slumbering,
Violets delay;