THE GREEN PASTURES. 37 THE GREEN PASTURES. I WALKED in a field of fresh clover this morn, And under the hedge ran a clear water-brook, That I thought little lambs must be happy all day. And when I remember the beautiful psalm, That tells about Christ and his pastures so green; I know He is willing to make me his lamb, And happier far than the lambs I have seen. If I drink of the waters, so peaceful and still, The lambs are at peace in the fields when they play, I try to walk always, with Christ for my friend. M. L. DUNCAN. 38 THE CUCKO 0. THE LARK. Lo, hear the gentle Lark, weary of rest, And wakes the morning from whose silver breast Who does the world so gloriously behold, The cedar tops and hills seem burnished gold. SHAKSPEARE. THE CUCKOO. WHENCE is the magic pleasure of the sound? Or bush, near which we stood, when on the ear And yet again came down the budding vale? But, there, the stranger flies close to the ground, And trusts her offspring to another's care: THE BLACKBIRD. The sooty-plumed hedge-sparrow frequent acts The youngling, destined to supplant her own. GRAHAME. 39 THE BLACKBIRD WHEN snowdrops die, and the green primrose leaves Announce the coming flower, the Merle's note, Mellifluous, rich, deep-toned, fills all the vale, 40 THE BLACKBIRD. His jetty breast embrowned; the rounded clay While he, upon a neighboring tree, his lay, When twice seven days have run, the moment snatch, That she has flitted off her charge, to cool Of eve, when, nestling o'er her brood, the dam Of doubtful dawning gray; then from his wing GRAHAME. TO DAFFODILS. TO DAFFODILS. FAIRE daffodils, we weep to see Stay, stay, Until the hastening day Has run But to the even-song; And, having prayed together, we Will goe with you along! We have short time to stay, as you; We have as short a spring, As quick a growth to meet decay, As you, or any thing: Wę die, As your hours doe; and drie Away Like to the summer's raine, Or as the pearles of morning dew, Ne'er to be found again. 6 HERRICK 41 |