FOR CHILDREN. 31

If nature to her tongue could measured numbers
bring,!

Thus, thought I, to her lamb that little maid
might sing :— -

“‘ What ails thee, young one? what? why pull so
at thy cord?

1s it not well with thee, well both for bed and board ?

Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be ;

Rest, little young one, rest, what is’t that aileth
thee?

What is it thou wouldst seek? What is wanting
to thy heart?

Thy limbs are they not strong?—and beautiful
thou art;

This grass is tender grass; these flowers they have
no peers ;*

And that green corn, all day, is rustling in thy ears!

If the sun be shining hot, do but stretch thy
woollen chain,

The beech is standing by, its covert thou canst gain;

For rain and mountain storms! the like tl ou need’st
not fear—

The rain and storm are things which scarcely can
come here.

Rest, little young one, rest! hast thou forgot the day

When my father found thee first in places far away ?

Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned
by none;

And thy mother from thy side for evermore was gone.

1 If nature, &c.—if she could utter her feelings in verse.
* Peers—equals.