FOR CHILDREN. 83

“ Friend tortoise,” quoth the jeering hare,

* Your burden’s more than you can bear ;
To help your speed it were as well
That I should ease you of your shell ;
Jog on a little faster, prithee ;'

I'll take a nap and then be with thee.”
The tortoise heard his taunting jeer,
But still resolved to persevere ;

On to the goal securely crept,

While puss, unknowing, soundly slept,
The bets were won, the hare awoke,
When thus the victor tortoise spoke :

* Puss, though I own thy quicker parts,
Things are not always done by starts:
You may deride my-awkward pace ;

But slow and steady wins the race !”
Lloyd,

A CHARADE.

PRonovNcED as one letter, and written with three,

Two letters there are and two only in me;

I'm double, I’m single, I’m black, blue, and grey,

I am read from both ends, and the same either
way.

I am reatless and wandering, steady and fixed,

And you know not one hour what I may be the

next,
I melt and I kindle, beseech and defy,
I am watery and moist, I am fiery and dry.

1 Prithee—I pray thee.