FOR CHILDREN. °* 63:

The well-taught philosophic mind
To all compassion gives,
Casts round the world an equal‘ eye,
And feels for all that lives.
Barbauld.

THE PRISONER, TO A ROBIN
WHO CAME TO HIS WINDOW.

Wetcome! welcome! little stranger,
Welcome to my lone retreat !

Here secure from every danger,
Hop about, and chirp, and eat :—

Robin! how I envy thee,

Happy child of liberty !

Hunger never shall distress thee,
While my meals one crumb afford,

Colds and cramps shall ne’er oppress thee,
Come and share my humble board :

Robin, come and live with me,

Live, yet still at liberty.

Soon shall spring with smiles and blushes,
Steal upon the blooming year; :

Then amid the verdant bushes, ;
Thy sweet song shall warble clear ,—

Then shall I too, joined with thee,

Taste the sweets of liberty.

Should some rough, unfeeling Dobbin,
In this iron-hearted age,

1 Equal—impartial, just. 2 Dobbin—a word
chosen to express a rude, inhuman fellow.