FOR CHILDREN. 149

THE ROBIN PURSUING A BUTTERFLY.

Caw this be the bird to man so good,
That, after their bewildering,
Did cover with leaves the little children
So painfully in the wood?
What ailed thee, Robin, that thou couldst
pursue
A beautiful creature
That is gentle by nature?
Beneath the summer sky,
From flower to flower let him fly ;
*Tis all that he wishes to do.

The cheerer thou of in-door sadness,

He is the friend of our summer gladness,

What hinders then that ye should be

Playmates in the sunny weather,

And fly about in the am together ?

His beautiful wings in crimson are drest,
A crimson as bright as thine own:

If thou wouldst be happy in thy nest,

O pious bird! whom man loves best,
Love him, or leave him alone !

Wordsworth

 

“EVERY LITTLE HELPS.”

Wuar if a drop of rain should plead— °
“© So small a drop as I
Can ne’er refresh the thirsty mead :
I'll tarry in the sky.”
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