FOR CHILDREN. 185

While the moon drops down the west,
And the stars before the sun
Melt, like snow-flakes, one by one,
Ere the lark has left his nest,
Let thy loud and welcome lay
Pour along
Few notes, but strong.
IN THE EVENING,
Jet-bright wing! Jet-bright wing !
Flit across the sunset glade,
Lying there in wait to sing,
Listen, with thine head awry,
Keeping time with twinkling eye,
While from all the woodland shade,
Birds of every plume and note
Strain the throat,
Till both hill and valley ring;
And the warbled minstrelsy
Ebbing, flowing, like the sea,
Claims brief interludes from thee ;
Then, with simple swell and fall,
Breaking beautiful through all,
Let thy pure, clear pipe repeat
Few notes, but sweet. Montgomery.

 

THE PEARL.

A LITTLE particle of rain,
That from a passing cloud descended,
Was heard thus idly to complain :—
My brief existence now is ended ;
R2