FOR CHILDREN. 291

THEN was a sprite of subtle frame,
With rainbow tints invested,

On clouds of dazzling light she came,
And stars her forehead crested ;

Her sparkling eye of azure hue

Seemed borrowed from the distant blue.

Now rested on the solid earth,
And sober was her vesture,
She seldom either grief or mirth
Expressed by word or gesture ;
Composed, sedate, and firm she stood,
And looked industrious, calm, and good.

THEN sang a wild, fantastic song,

Light as the gale she flies on;
Still stretching, as she sailed along,

Towards the fair horizon, ;
Where clouds of radiance, fringed with gold,
O’er hill of emerald beauty rolled.

Now rarely raised her sober eye
To view that golden distance :
Nor let one idle minute fly
In hope of THEN’s assistance;
But still, with busy hands, she stood,
Intent on doing present good.

She ate the sweet but homely fare
That passing moments brought her ;
While THEN, expecting dainties rare,
Despised such bread and water;
And waited for the fruits and flowers
Of future, still receding hours.