154 SELECT POETRY

THE EXAMPLE OF BIRDS.

Rine-pove ! resting benignly calm,
Tell my bosom thy secret balm ;
Blackbird! straining thy tuneful throat,
Teach my spirit thy thankful note ;
Small Wren ! building thy happy nest,
Where shall I find a home of rest ?
Eagle! cleaving the vaulted sky,

Teach my nature to soar as high;
Sky-lark ! winging thy way to heaven,
Be thy track to my footsteps given !

FRIENDSHIP.

Swat service is true service, while it lasts;
Of friends, however humble, spurn not one ;
The daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dew-drop from the sun.
. Wordsworth.

THE ORPHAN BOY.

Lady, lady, stay, for mercy’s sake, _

And hear a helpless Orphan’s tale :
Ab! sure my looks must pity wake,—

Tis want that makes my cheeks so pale.
Yet I was once a mother’s pride,

And my brave father’s hope and joy 3