4 SELECT PORTRY

Taught the birds their melodies,
Clothed the earth, and cleared the skies,
For thy pleasure or thy food :—
Pour thy soul in gratitude!
Mary Howitt.

 

. THE FIRST LAMB.
‘Svortive harbinger! of Spring!
‘Welcome tidings dost thou bring !
Thy short, timid, quivering bleat
Blends in unison? most sweet
With the newly-wakened song,
Heard the woodland dell along.

While beneath the hawthorn’s shade,

Slumbering peacefully thou'rt laid,

Round the spring the daisies fair ;

Violets scent the balmy air,

And the primrose clusters spread

A soft pillow for thy head :—

Start not !—’tis a harmless guest—

The partridge stealing from her nest 3

Or the bee, whose soothing hum

Tells the crocus-flowers are come !

Lambkin, I will be thy friend,

I my cheerful aid will lend,

Thy weak, little feet, to guide

To thy tender mother’s side.

Soon those tottering feet will bound

O’er the. thyme-besprinkled mound ;—-
\ Harbinger—a forerunner—the appearance of new-bora

lambs announces that Spring is coming. See p. 3.
* In unison—in harmony.