FOR CHILDREN. 43

At once, as by magic, the merriment died,
Not a whisper was heard, not a gambol was tried !
Returned to their stations in border or bed,
Each shut up his eye, or hung graceful her head ;
And those who had left foreign mountains and vales,
Rode home in snug parties, on zephyrs and gales;
So that ere the first star wandered out with a beam,
They were all sound asleep, and beginning to
dream !
Ann Taylor.

 

JOHN BARLEYCORN.

THERE went three kings into the east,
Three kings both great and high ;
And they have sworn a solemn oath, ,

John Barleycorn shall die.

They took a plough and ploughed him down,
Put clods upon his head ;

And they have sworn a solemn oath,
John Barleycorn was dead.

But the cheerful spring came kindly on,
And showers began to fall ;

John Barleycorn got up again,
And sore surprised them all.

The sultry suns of summer came,
And he grew thick and strong ;

His head well armed with pointed spears,
That no one should him wrong, .