FOR CHILDREN. 201

THE CAPTIVE SQUIRREL’S PETITION:
ADDRESSED TO THE LITTLE GIRL WHO KEPT HIM.

Au! little maiden, do you love in the summer
woods to rove,

When the gay lark’s song is in the cloud, the
blackbird’s in the grove ;

When the cowslip hangs her golden bells like
jewels in the grass, .

And each cup sends forth a tender sound as your
bounding footsteps pass ;

When the dew is on the willow-leaf and the sun
looks o’er the hill,

And Nature's loveliness with joy your inmost soul
can thrill >—

If songs of birds and summer flowers e’er filled
your heart with glee,

Oh! think upon my hapless fate, and set your
captive free !

A'native of the dark green woods, my home is far

away,

Where gaily ‘mid the giant oaks, my bright-eyed
offspring play ;

Their couch is lined with softest moss, within an
aged tree;

The wind that sweeps the forest boughs, is not
more blithe than we;

And oft beneath our nimble feet the old sear!
branches shake,

As lightly through the beechen groves our merry
way we take;

’ Sear—dry and withered,