FOR CHILDREN. 123

Did J spoil your treasures hid ?
Well you know I never did.
Foolish trifler, pray beware !
Tempt my anger—if you dare.
Trust not in your strength of wing,
Trust not in your length of sting ;
You are lost if here you stay,
Haste then, trifler, haste away!
Bruce

 

THE WINTER FIRE.

A FIRE’s a good companionable friend,
A comfortable friend, who meets your face
With welcome glad, and makes the poorest shed
As pleasant as a palace! Are you cold?
He warms you—weary? he refreshes you—
Hungry? he doth prepare your food for you.
Are you in darkness? he gives light to you—
In a strange land? he wears a face that is
Familiar from your childhood. Are you poor?—
What matters it to him? He knows no difference
Between an emperor and the poorest beggar !
Where is the friend, that bears the name of man,
Will do as much for you?

Mary Howitt.

 

THE MOTHER TRIED.
“On! blessed is my baby boy!”
Thus spoke a mother to her child,
And kissed him with excess of joy—
He looked into her face and smiled.